Topic: Indivisible [NSFW 18+]

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2013-12-02 00:27 EST
Indivisible

Part I: Two as One

~~~

"The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be." - Socrates

~~~

Alluvius. Mid-Consolidation. Two people dressed as officers of the Seventh Sword approached the Gate system. The badges on their arms marked them as Guardsmen, but their actions were dubious. Each of the main company camps were running double shifts of guards to protect from incursions by the ever growing number of dissidents. Rumors were abound throughout, citing dereliction by the officers of the First Sword, to outright rebellion on their part, though the reasons why were always vague, as if some other agency were preventing the dissemination of information. Earlier in the week, one of the alleged chief agents of the so called rebellion had been captured, and was considered extremely dangerous - using abilities never before seen to Travel from company to company, causing havoc, until he was apprehended and brought under guard by the First Sword. Still, every company was on alert should he escape and try to hide within the Empire, and an Imperial Magus was brought in at the request of the Council in order to interrogate or barring that stripping his power from him, whatever its source. Thus it was more than questionable when the two guardsmen stopped before the control crystals, one on watch while the other began to shift things within the panel setting, causing the rings of the Gate to begin to glow with soft silvery light.

The elder of the two was the first to speak, "This won't work....you don't understand..." his utterance broke off with a sigh, as the younger glared daggers up from his meddling.

"You've already conceded that we won't find him, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack - except the haystack is the size of an entire realm. This ....Mission is a failure." At the admission, the youth ground his teeth, audibly. But, he'd been there long enough. He'd rather report a failure to her, than spend an eternity on some hopeless, pointless, errand. Just then, the rings of the Gate surged to complete power, and he gestured to it with a smirk, "Age before beauty?"

This earned him a glare from the elder, "We shouldn't risk this. We'll be caught." They would risk it, because although the Autumn Lord would chastise Kaiden, he hadn't been entirely honest with him either. He hadn't explained to him that his one weakness lay through those rings. And that he had no way of resisting its temptation. Grabbing the youth quickly and roughly by the back of the neck, he pushed him into the Gates and watched him vanish, following himself a moment later; cloak pulled up and prepared to avert his eyes, though it pained him to not give in to his unyielding urge to stare. Travel by Gate was largely instantaneous, and so it was that they arrived at the mid-point, as Kristoph had predicted. Kaiden had simply taken them back to Horizon.

Fiona had felt someone trying to tap into her realm. She became curious and granted them entrance, though she was more than willing to allow them to think they had been able to manage it on their own. She recognized them from when they approached her in her office. At least, she recognized the younger one. There was something familiar in him. The other one always seemed to be hiding himself, never letting her really see him. She did not trust him because of his hiding, though she hid in this realm too often herself. Her voice became deep and harsh.

"Why do you come here?"

Knightfall

Date: 2013-12-02 00:32 EST
Waves of emotion rolled through Kristoph, and he froze, the power of her voice hitting him like a hammer.

Kaiden on the other hand acted quickly, stepping between her and Kristoph and spreading his arms in a genial manner, "It was an honest mistake," except that it wasn't; the ring Gates wouldn't activate unless by her will, an Officer using the appropriate key, or....tampering.

The hooded one sighed audibly, shoulders sagging, "you," and he stressed that word towards Kaiden, "must be honest with her," and he stopped himself short, hands clasping each other and fidgeting with his ring finger.

The two men exchanged a long look, and finally Kaiden snapped and marched to the circles edge, looking back over his shoulder, "This is bull. I'm not doing your dirty work for you anymore, I'm just the sword." Fire lit his eyes as his voice dropped to an angry whisper, "There are things back home I care about too, you know....and I'm not staying stuck in this hell hole because you have the thing you..."ignoring her anger and half glares at Fiona before looking back to Kristoph, "You explain it to her. Sir." He reached up and snapped the safety off his dual scabbard, and looked again to Fiona, "I have other orders besides....being here. And I only answer to the First Sword." Shooting Kristoph another glare, he stepped from the bounds of the Gates and vanished through the Mists.

Fiona watched the two of them intently, memorizing their mannerisms, learning how they interacted with each other, listening to their words. She could get a big picture from the little they revealed. She silently enjoyed the passion in the hot headed young one, though she respected the calm and control of the other.

When the young one turned to leave, she allowed him to do so. She would often allow people the last word, it made them think they were in control. She turned back to the other one who remained. She didn't realize she was still smiling at the young one's dramatic exit. And she wasn't alone in her regard, as the Autumn Lord smiled with her, and at the same thing, though from a different perspective. That smile only deepened when he noticed hers, though he would not raise his face completely to hers. Not yet, at any rate. He had yet to explain his way free of this somewhat unsavory circumstance he'd found himself in with her. Still, he smiled after Kaiden. He found the boy's intermittent wisdom irritating; he remembered Kaiden's words the last time they'd sparred ? Just Let Go. He wasn't sure what was more infuriating, the fact that he gave advice - or the fact it was good advice. The Autumn Lord's form had been tense, and he'd been losing to Kaiden steadily during their last few sessions. Although more than proficient with a sword, he was not trained as a bladedancer like Kaiden, and wasn't sure that the advice held in that regard. Though, in life....

He would have to lie, to preserve her so that if her assistance was discovered no harm would befall her; but he would try to balance it with other truths.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2013-12-02 00:41 EST
Kristoph pulled off his cloak as he raised his head to meet her eyes, flashing emerald orbs set against a wild mane of midnight hued hair. Saluting, he spoke softly but with authority. "Lady Fiona, my name....is unimportant, though I know you will insist on it....I am an Imperial Knight," the truth, at one time, "And we need your help, locating quarry who may pose a danger to the Empire. We come to you under the authority of Lord Kristoph Arknight, and beg your assistance." There would be a ring of truth to that as well, as both men certainly bear a resemblance to anyone who would be blood of House Arknight.

As to his calm....it was all he could do to steel his nerves to maintain it, far from Alluvius, he'd fallen in love with that smile, and not only that, learned to read it. Every expression, he could feel, hear with her words, even in surrounding darkness. Kaiden's little outburst had sparked something within him, a memory, or a revelation, he couldn't tell. But he knew now, remembered, that he hadn't always been a paragon of control, and though he didn't fully feel it yet, he knew that he must not forget to embrace what he was then, and now to become something....better. More able to address the challenges that lay before them; to find Kaius, and return. His eyes stunned the smile from Fiona. It was her job to read people's demeanor and interpret their intentions. She was the one who allowed entrance between the realms. She felt responsible for who she granted entry to allow audience with the Empire, knowing that wrong decision could endanger those present and would undoubtedly stall progress of diplomacy. Now was different. There was no council of the Empire here now. It was only them. Falling into his eyes, she began to let her defenses down. She realized her disgrace and quickly compensated. Fiona tilted her head back slightly as he addressed her with her name, giving the subtle impression of looking down on him. She was known among many, especially those in power. She never considered herself to be in a position of power or one who should be regarded with such recognition, but she would continue the illusion. He would know her first name, but she would not know his, which visibly disturbed her for a moment. House Arknight. She knew of the House, but only in passing. She listened to the severity of his request for aid and responded distantly.

"What would you have me do?"

Knightfall

Date: 2013-12-02 00:44 EST
Although it was subtle, he did relax at her words. At least she didn't immediately send them from Horizon to some random part of the Empire, which even then would have been far from the worst catching her by surprise could have accomplished.

"My Lady Fiona," Kristoph began, pausing for a moment before catching himself and continuing, "We seek a man very close to Lord Kristoph, who has been....injured," a more earnest pause now, watching what he says, "It is possible, his injuries present as some affliction or malady of the mind," frowning, as if and indeed because it bothered him on a personal level. Damage to the mind was, in his estimation, one of the most horrible things that could befall a person. After a moment, he described the man - and immediately wished he'd had a picture; the description could have easily fit either himself or Kaiden, adjusted for age and minor details, "One of his hands, the left has been....modified to resemble a claw, or Talon."

Another pause, as if he were lost in thought, and as if he waited for her to begin to answer him, he lurched from his silence one more time, "I have reason to believe he is dangerous," his eyes had been downcast again, lost in thought, and now he raised them to hers, "I know he is. But, not to everyone. It is Lord Arknight's will that he be....taken from here, to where he can be helped." The eyes that met hers were filled with compassion for the person he spoke of, and the conviction of his belief that finding him and helping him was right. And something else as well, hid there.

He was looking at her as though she was familiar to him, and a fondness that allowed him to disclose more than he probably should.

She cringed slightly as he spoke his first word to address her. She assumed he was trying to manipulate her to gain her aid by acting familiar with her and implying she was already "his" confidant. For someone who insisted honesty with her, the Knight was conveniently vague about some things. Fiona stared at him and, although she knew he wasn't telling the whole truth, she still did not feel as though he was maliciously trying to deceive her. She tried to make sense of the words he left unspoken, but he held too many secrets. She walked towards him, trying to unhinge him in order to reveal some hidden motivations. She spoke tersely as she took a few slow steps, defiantly stopping a few feet in front of him.

"Why should I do such for House Arknight"?

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2013-12-02 00:47 EST
"Because," and Kristoph was filled with silence it seemed, this evening, as he attempted to hold her gaze. He hated lying, especially to her. He hadn't' yet. But he had evaded the entire truth. He wished he could tell her everything, but most of it was improbable to the point that a sane person would have him under lock and key by stories end. Still, he continued, more softly now that she stood so close, "For one thing, it is the right thing to do. This man....needs help. He is a danger to himself and a danger to others as well, though he would not seek to be. We," gesturing to the departed Kaiden, "are but two men, and forgive me, my Lady, but you are known within the halls of power. If he has traveled this realm, and has made contact with the Empire" who could hide it from you" I've never known you to cast a man down due to circumstances beyond his control which have afflicted his life," catching himself, "Again, by reputation..." An insignificant twitch of his lip, but an indicator that perhaps he hadn't wanted to add that last bit.

"We would....propose," another damnable pause, "this, that after regular business of the Council has ended, in the late evening, you would give us leave to travel to the encampments of the other companies, starting from the furthest away, working inward. The task would yet be daunting, but it would allow us a start. I would not ask any more of your time than that, as I know....assume, you are as busy as your reputation suggests." Her eyes softened ever so slightly. Many people regarded her as cold and distant in her role, but she had to maintain her unbiased image as much as possible to earn recognition as the highly regarded mediator she had become. In truth, she only did what she did to help people. She feared she was losing her edge, as this stranger could read this altruistic feature in her so quickly. She bluntly answered his request.

"No."

It was her first statement to him that was not a question. She continued, "I will not allow you passage." She had many reasons to deny them, though she would not justify her decision to him. She spoke softer. "I will address the matter in time. I will send word to House Arknight if I find anything that may be beneficial to your search."

Knightfall

Date: 2013-12-02 00:51 EST
His head snapped up quickly, having looked away and now locking eyes on hers, in a subdued state of surprise. He'd been sure she would....he looked down, hands clenching into fists unconsciously, then relaxing again, "....we will....I will pursue....other options. Thank you, My Lady," clearly both perplexed, and a little upset, though he would try to hide it, "Thank you for, what you do offer."

His mind did now race for a moment, at her mention of returning to House Arknight with her information, "If I may request, though, Lord Kristoph....his travels and schedule are well known, in that he hardly ever rests and is passionate about the goings on of the front lines. He has tasked this to me, and I would not have you leave the information with a Seneschal, or a Steward of his Keep, to sit on and wait to inform his liege, when action should be more immediate. We shall remain local to the Imperial Gates, and we....I ....shall....return to ask about any new developments."

He really hadn't expected her to say no, and looking at her as he worked his hands into and out of fists, he became aware of the wedding band which rode there and a thought struck him, suddenly and harsh, leaving an ache in his chest as he bowed to hide some of his dismay and gather himself. His last words to her that day did not match his thoughts, "Peace favor you, My Lady. I....shall endeavor to see you again soon that we may....see this wrong, righted." And as he saluted, hand over heart, looking at her, but unable to express...anything...he could only think of one thing before she would grant him leave, "Light, I miss my wife..."

She allowed him to exit and join his comrade. She would begin her search for the missing man immediately. She would instruct those in her delegation to search, if she had to. Given his avoidance of her informing House Arknight of her findings, she would only give her information to him, for the time being. She would start watching him and his friend more closely as well.

~~~

?We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love. That is our great glory, and our great tragedy' - George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

~~~

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-01-15 00:35 EST
Part II: Deus ex"

~~~

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie ten Boom

~~~

Alluvius. Mid-Consolidation.

The town stretched before her on either side, the Gate opening on an ancient bridge which spanned the chasm between it's two sides. Seeming to hover across the divide with little means of arch support, the structure provided an amazing view of the powerful falls which poured down from the river into a steep gorge before continuing onwards. The town, Greyhaven Falls, had built up over the years around the bridge's terminal points and along the banks of the gorge on either side.

Deep within the heart of the established Consolidation, it experienced a level of peace and prosperity which would have been the vast envy of any significant population of people nearer the front lines. So far was it from them in fact, sitting upon the borderlands of regions held by two Imperial Knights, High Lords Arknight & Stormgaard, that the scars of the war had mostly healed, except for the occasional flare ups that took place between small, local populations, such as had been occurring in Greyhaven Falls for the past several weeks.

The nominal Magistrate of the town, an Elector named Solon, greeted the Imperial Lady, Fiona, as she stepped from the Gates. Though not an old man, he was certainly past his prime; his strength lay in his mixed blood heritage which normally allowed him to interact with the now very diluted cultures which were found this far from the front lines. Be that as it may, the man still looked perplexed, wringing his hands, wild white hair whipped by the wind across the gorge as the two moved off of the bridge and towards one side of the town proper.

"Apologies, Lady, we would have had a more fitting welcome laid out for you, had we known your visit would be happening this quickly. Many thanks for that!" he was sincere, or at least sounded to be, "This worship that has infected almost half the people here," and he spoke in the Common-Low speech, his breeding hadn't been high enough to warrant more education in etiquette, "It's a foul thing, Lady, most foul. They worship a god who is broken, it isn't right; you well know Imperial stricture, "Religion belongs in the home, private, not the community, used as a tool to separate Imperial citizens from one another". This religion, pah," he made as if to spit, and halted himself, realizing his social blunder at the last moment and veering, choking instead, a hacking cough, "Apologies! They tell all who listen that other "gods" don't care for those they worship, that there is no paradise beyond. Lady, to me, best deals with them before Imperial Knights are sent in, like in the old days...? he trailed off, his eyes glancing over to hers as they walked in lockstep nearing the end of the bridge.

The old days, indeed.

If an Imperial Knight was coming....it meant that hostilities might well soon be at an end, because there would be none left alive to continue them. Their justice was swift, and without mercy. And almost none were ever found innocent. Thankfully, it was their reputation that made them effective for the most part, and only the most severe uprisings meriting their arrival - others were usually quickly cowed.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-01-15 00:42 EST
Fiona's face remained emotionless. One might think she wasn't even listening, but she listened to the man rattle on. Her role as an arbitrator between both sides of the conflict put her in various places on occasion. She hated to leave her comfortable office away from the drama and conflict. She would rather focus on record keeping, census work, and other organizational tasks that allowed her to be away from people. She didn't understand people, or maybe she didn't want to understand them, how they could hate and kill each other over senseless causes to honor the name of religion. She became too caught up in her role and the political details to really be able to understand the severity of just that. She spoke as emotionlessly as she appeared. Her unfeeling demeanor was only enhanced by her bluntness.

Fiona said simply, "Yes."

"Yes, my Lady?" Elector Solon asked, his tone perplexed, "Yes to what? What shall I sho- er, where are we going" The "temple" as they call it, is across town, we'll have to pass through the village entire, an old barn, is where they started, you can still smell the horse," he stopped, wary, he'd been about to say "horse ***", "....manure, which is as likely a thing I suppose - fits that there's a preaching going on, and they do go on, someone there all the time." He made to spit again, "Would you prefer to ride, Lady' It would be faster, keep you a shorter time, we know you have more important things than this dreary backwater."

She sighed and nodded. Horses would allow her speed. She could accomplish two things at once. Going through the town would give her more ground to cover for her search. She was asked to find out information to lead to the whereabouts of some powerful, potentially dangerous man. As much as she loved her working sanctuary, sometimes it was more beneficial to go out and look for yourself. She felt the need to clarify her nod to the man.

"Yes, we may ride."

After a few quick gestures from the Elector, two groomsmen waiting at the end of the bridge brought a roan gelding forth, a sheepish look stealing over his features, "I'm afraid I'll have to follow on foot," he spread his hands slightly, "I did ask, if you would prefer to ride, after all....I'm afraid my back will keep me up for a week." He proceeded to give her directions, vague though they may be - it seemed the source of the religious hurdles; the entire time he spoke, her look was non-plussed, although she could sympathize with his reasoning, it was still a professional dereliction of duty for her to be unaccompanied, given their relative status. Far from being the least civil she'd had to deal with, it was taken just as passively as everything else he'd said - though she did make a mental note of it.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-01-15 00:45 EST
The ride through the town was largely inconsequential; if the man she was looking for had been here, the town would have been in more of an uproar. Men of an unusual martial mien didn't last long in their anonymity, after all. As the passage through the Falls continued, more and more people met her, seemingly heading back in the direction that she'd come from; not only that, but they were in groups. It wasn't until she had passed through the town entire that the realization might strike her as to what was happening, because it wasn't until she would have seen the "church' building itself that she would have been cognizant of the reason it was happening: church, was getting out. It might seem an oddity, after the Elector had told her that the church was almost perpetually used, but upon sight of the gathering in front of the building, it might have been clearer why.

An Imperial Fist, which is to say, the elite cadre that accompanies an Imperial Knight when fighting in the front lines, or at least, closer to the fighting. None of them were as potent as the Knights themselves, of course. Nearer still, it was obvious that one of their own horses was stopped rider less, and upon closer inspection still, the gathering seemed to center upon that absent rider, who now walked the grounds before the building, beneath the gaze the Fist and the common folk alike.

As Fiona approached, his back remained to her, and he drew close some of those leaving the building, pulling them into a brief embrace and speaking something to each person he did so, at least one person from each family. As the last of the people began to filter around him, he turned, not yet noticing her. Though lightly armored, his moves were graceful as a dancers, and a mane of midnight hued hair was swept back framing his face, letting the sun's light hitting his emerald eyes, causing them to seem to flare unnaturally.

A smile played on his mouth as he spoke to the last of the commons, but a stolen glance towards the rest of the fist revealed hardened iron in his eyes as he made complicated military hand gestures to speak with them, "Go. You're not needed here. Do not return without my leave.? As he was turning back towards the commons as still more came closer to speak to him on their way away from the building, his eyes settled on Fiona as she rode closer, and though he kept talking with the parishioners as they left, his eyes kept glancing back to her as she approached.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-01-15 00:54 EST
Sitting over most of the people exiting the church on the back of her horse, Fiona rode closer, trying to take in a better assessment. She was there to investigate the power of this church. Even though she was there to determine the best way to stop its influence, she looked at her purpose to be a benefit to their side. If she couldn't find a better way, she knew an Imperial Knight would be sent in to eliminate the threat in a much harsher fashion. But the scene before her was not what she expected to see.

The man who was directing the followers of the faith was the same man who was giving commands to the Imperial Fist. This was some odd conflict of interest. She kept her eyes on him was she had her horse ride up slowly, as to not harm any of the people leaving the area. She stopped a few feet from him, still sitting on her horse, purposefully looking down at him. She would often play up her status, even acting higher on the echelon than she was. She did not like to be played around with and something was definitely off about this whole scenario.

As the horsemen rode off, the man turned more fully towards her. There was something familiar but unspoken between them, besides the fact that they were both attired with the insignia of their rank. He was a Lord, at least, judging from the sigils - and from the First Company of the First Sword, no less; he was much like her, but in a much less administrative sense, perhaps. Easy enough to assume not part of the bureaucracy given his bearing; much more likely this man had seen the front lines, at least at some point. Any familiarity besides that could perhaps be chalked up to those numerous stolen glances that pass between strangers who see each other too often to call each other strange, yet never for long enough to become as familiar as their curiosity would want them to be. Everyone had to go through the Gates if they sought Council from a distant part of the Empire, and Kristoph was no exception.

He surveyed her as she rode close, taking into consideration her garb and bearing. She had all the bearing of a highborn as well, though he knew that didn't?t necessarily make it so; perhaps she was a highborn that trulled - associated with her lessers - or she was lowborn that rose above her rank. At the notion of either, Kristoph smiled. He assumed much, but he was prone to flights of fancy and making up supposed facts about people even after just hearing about them - a private game of seeing what he was right about, and what he was wrong about.

Whatever else, he knew her name, Lady Fiona O'Neill, of House Tain; assigned to the Imperial Logistics of the Grand Council of Swords, making her technically one of the First Sword. And though the only discourse they would have had so far would have been while he was on official business to see the Council, those times had been infrequent, it was as if something had refreshed her memory - something, or someone she had seen - that made it easier to remember who he was; one of the High Lords, and officers of the First Sword, Kristoph Knightfall.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-01-16 01:22 EST
"My," the mans's eyes flickering to the crests upon her cloak that would denote her hierarchy in the Empire - unless she had chosen to hide it, "....Lady," his gaze was measuring, and he more quietly added, "....likely a High Lady, soon, with that demeanor." His smile was slightly crooked, only causing one corner of his mouth to curl upwards - wryly. "To what pleasure can this sleepy little town serve you?" He nodded to one last parishioner, lightly placing a hand upon their back as they left the temple grounds proper.

Fiona tilted her head up slightly before she dismounted. One last ditch effort to show her authority and power. Although she still maintained an air about her, her false bravado lessened once she was on the ground. He was right; she had come from commoners, but had to work her way up through the ranks. She learned that showing that false bravado helped her to fit into that role, at least, it helped others to accept her in the role. She watched as the last parishioner walked away before she spoke. Her words were cold and flat.

"I heard that this place has seen more activity lately. I wanted to see for myself." She tried to use innocent words. She could have been someone wanting to attend the church as well. She purposefully did not mention on whose behalf she was there. In truth, she worked with both sides. She was merely a mediator between those for and against the religious cultural turn. She did not want to reveal too much until she could determine which side he was on.

Two could play at that game, and he was no stranger to it. As her tone shifted and became more distant, so did his - not only his words, but his eyes, his mannerism, becoming more emotionless. Flat. "It has. And no one here means any harm. All they're doing is seeking comfort with others who are going through the same things that they are." His eyes flickered to her badge of office upon her cloak, then back to her face, "Damon sending his regards, is he" You can tell him I'm not going back; this Consolidation has never been what he said it would be when we first set out." His composure had broken, marginally. He had technically voiced an accusation against the would-be Emperor; more than that, called him by Name. And appeared annoyed at the thought of him, no less.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-01-16 01:26 EST
Fiona tilted her head back again as he began to speak to her. This time is wasn't from her trying to display her authority. She was stunned for a moment in his shift in demeanor, especially since she saw how friendly he could be with the parishioners. It seemed that her usual tactics wouldn't work with him.

She could adapt.

She was used to manipulating all sides. She wouldn't abuse her power, which is why she earned respect in her position, but she would use that respect to keep that position of power. Once you could read people, it was easy to learn how to exploit their own motivations. It seemed he was trying to read her as much as she was trying to read him.

Her eyes tensed for a moment when he mentioned Damon Logos. He seemed to be familiar with him, more familiar than he wanted to be. Her voice became more relaxed, though she was only doing so to inspire him to be as loose in his words. "I assure you, I was not sent here for you. I only come as an observer. I am only here to gain information so both sides have a fair case to present before each other."

She was perceptive. Kristoph had been reading her, and evidently hadn't counted on her reversing it on him - at least not that quickly. His tone changed to match hers, and after a moment he relaxed as well, his features softening again, though his arms crossed his chest now, instead of hanging loose. "....Nobody is interested in a fair case," he'd spoken quietly, "except perhaps you. What information do you need" I've already sent one Fist away today," sudden shame flashed across his features, "Forgive me, I find the older I get the less faith I have in....The Hierarchy. I do not mean to blame you, it is simple frustration."

He'd slipped from High Speech, to Low, to common; her sudden change in tone had thrown him off completely, and though filled with obvious conviction, was momentarily vulnerable. Quietly, he added, "I am....very familiar with these lands. Very familiar. These people....are like my own people. And I can tell you, they gather and they worship ....a god they even agree does not exist. Lady, I believe that this is no crime." His arms dropped from their crossed position to spread even to the sides, as if to say, "Here I stand, I can do nothing else, so help me.?

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-01-16 01:30 EST
Fiona's eyes softened a bit, happy that he was becoming more at ease with her. She noticed his arms fold and countered by relaxing her shoulders, trying to get him to loosen up more. She could use body language just as easily as she could use her words. She would play any game she needed to in order to achieve her objective. But, for some reason, it became less about manipulating him. He was completely open for her. She didn't need to work to get him to reveal things to her. He had only built up a resistance when she started the defensive game.

She took a breath. None of this really seemed right. Was she the one being manipulated" Her world was full of lies and power plays. It was what she came to know. She watched his arms drop. She shifted her balance to one side, as if trying to decide. She said gently, "I've honestly seen more than enough. The evidence against this place is damning just because of its existence. I'm not solely here to collect information. I'm supposed to relay a threat, but I instead want to offer it as a warning. This is the first place that will be hit when they wish to make an example. If you want to help?" She said in a nurturing tone, "your people", and then continued, "You need to shut this place down."

Kristoph's eyes glanced back and forth between her and the inauspicious temple, a war of thoughts playing across the features of his face; her application of reason, and asking where others would have made demands managed to make her argument cut past his normally even more stubborn defense. Issuing a heavy sigh, his arms crossed and uncrossed, having trouble finding comfort until finally fixing her with the crux of his issue, "The entire point, in my opinion, is that what?s going on here shouldn't be damning. The notion that any religious affiliation has to be sanctioned by the Imperials is..." he shook his head, looking away.

"These people aren't mounting an insurrection, they're just doing the same thing every other bloody fool in the world is doing - crying out to an indifferent god who, even if he listens doesn't do anything to affect change for his worshippers." Kristoph turned his eyes on Fiona again, "It isn't as if Damon Logos, Dy"Logos - whatever he calls himself these days - has any plans on trying to ascend to Godhood himself, or installing any other Imperial...symbol." His jaw worked quietly, as if he were chewing his words, but he stopped talking, and simply looked at her. "You're right in what they'll do, when they find out about this place. And doesn't that seem ....excessive, to you?"

Knightfall

Date: 2014-01-16 01:35 EST
Fiona shifted her stance, almost uncomfortably, at his repeated mention of Logos. His question only made her more uncomfortable. She looked down for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. He surprised her just as much. No one ever asked her opinion before. She collected information, communicating the important findings to others. She would act as moderator between conflicting sides, opening communication between others. But never was she asked to communicate her own thoughts. She looked up at him, more seriously than even when she first approached him. It was sincere this time, not filled with her false bravado.

"I do believe a lot of the things I hear about are" unnecessary, yes, and the reaction to this "uprising" being one. But I know my place and I'm happy in my place. Things could always be worse, even for your people. I am merely trying to advise you. Your people should not congregate" here. With my confirmation of this place, it is no longer safe." She knew her duty to report what she had found to the Council, but she hoped he could interpret what she meant, and not what she said. It wasn't much, but she was trying to offer her own form of help, by encouraging their move to a safer location.

Kristophs's face darkened with her persistence, even as he found her loyalty more than admirable, "I understand," he stopped, and took a deep breath, "I understand your loyalty. And even commend you for it, I've been where you are, once upon a time." A subtle way of saying that he may not have held her exact position, but he'd held her rank at the least, and surpassed it. "But what about loyalty to the people this Empire means to govern" What about our duty to them" How long must we pursue this unjust war?" His hands left his sides and he spread them, gesturing around, "Find me a place of learning, or of culture, or of something not pertaining to war - somewhere art is made, not swords; where poetry is written, not spellbooks; where animals are kept for pets rather than to fight.?

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-01-16 01:36 EST
Kristophs's stare was emerald steel, and just before his eyes locked with hers again, he muttered quietly, "I've had enough..."clearing his throat, and continuing more loudly, "Lady Fiona, Herald of the Grand Council, I hereby inform you that this matter is closed. There is no violation here. It was already disbanded when you arrived." It sounded like a command, like he was pulling rank on her. He was a High Lord, one grade above her own - gender status being equal among the nobility. "Barring that, you can tell them that I wouldn't grant you entry. Let the Imperials come, should they choose. They'll soon learn that just because the First Sword left it's post, does not mean it was disbanded..." that last sentence a growl, not directed at her, but at his apparent enemies....the Empire.

Fiona's eyes widened at the command. She then stared at him, resenting the order when she felt like she had just done so much to try to help the best way she could. Even those on the Council rarely ordered her. For the most part, only those in the highest positions would give her commands" like Logos.

She kept her body facing him, but turned her head towards her horse at her side. She stroked it tenderly, as if trying to calm it from his audacity. She stately coldly, while still looking at the horse. "I have my orders." She faced him but purposefully averted her eyes downward. She couldn't look at him. She tilted her head downwards harshly to accept the order, then quickly turned and remounted her horse. As she turned the horse to leave, she looked down at him briefly. When she looked at him, she immediately tilted her head up and forward, full of her false bravado again. She nudged the horse with her legs and galloped away.

Not expecting her to look back that final time, his shoulders had sagged; and when he saw her face, looking down at him, his eyes closed in shame. It wasn't the parting that he'd wanted, but there were so few things in life a person wanted and actually received. Kristoph opened his eyes again only after he heard her horse moving away at speed, and spoke quietly, to himself or simply to the wind, "....did I make you mad enough' Blame me, spare these people, and yourself. We won't be their butchers. Not anymore."

I hope you see that, the truth, before it's too late. And your hands are covered in the same red spill that mine are. These people are no threat to Logos, not yet....unless he makes them one. Don't send your Knights into Nod, Damon. It will not be tolerated. A presence haunts my lands, now. It was once a man, and it knows the evils that men do. Do not bring your evil here...

~~~

"The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.? - Soren Kierkegaard

~~~

Knightfall

Date: 2014-02-07 01:39 EST
Part III: Pavilion of Hammers

~~~

"You do not write your life with words...You write it with actions. What you think is not important. It is only important what you do." ― Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls

~~~

Alluvius.

Mid-Consolidation.

Pavilion of Hammers.

Grand Council.

The High Seats of the Baronies had once again convened to form the Grand Council, a ruling body of the Consolidated Alluvian lands that consisted of the Military Council governed by Damon Logos and his advisors. A secondary body of the Grand Council was formed by the High Seats and any entourage they might bring with them. This provided the ruling baronies with the chance to ask questions or voice concerns as the Consolidation continued its press outward. The entire event took two days, with most important business taking place towards the end of that period, the first half being spent on diplomatic and bureaucratic pleasantries.

This particular Council, well into it's two day mandate, had only half of the last days session ahead of itself and the open air amphitheatre in which it took place was only half to three quarters populated; those that didn't have to be there, or enjoy it, were taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere towards etiquette, and found other places to be - those were the ones who would never advance within the system.

Although the seats of the amphitheatre rose up from the floor several tiers, it was really only those on the floor itself who had sway upon the proceedings; the Council itself sat facing the seats, much like the vantage of a professor in a class, while the High Seats of various Houses, and other higher class officers were afforded their own lecterns only a step from their seats where they could address the Council or the body behind them.

In attendance of note this particular session was the usual Council of lackeys - with a few additions taking vacant spots around the room. The cousin Storm Lords, Atticus & Brend - Atticus with a seat on the Council, Brend among the Commons; Sinistrad of House Arknight, sitting Council for House Arknight in Kristoph's absence; Arcturus & Kane of House Youngblood, staunch supporters of Damon's, with their own younger nephew sitting higher up in the stands - Jonas himself, who was in truth the High Seat but chose not to sit in favor of one or both of his uncles; and of course, Damon Logos and his main Counciler, Dy?Hauc. One of the central seats facing the Council was reserved for House Tain - thereby, her, as she was their sitting representative, holding a position of power second only to Archibald himself, equal to his son Jareth. Her being the Lady Fiona.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-02-07 01:49 EST
It was Damon who moved new business along, "....now that we've discussed the treatment of war criminals, I believe we're in agreement that this particular case is....if not special, peculiar. Certain experts among us," gesturing to Dy"Hauc and Atticus - Dy"Hauc sitting on the edge of his chair, listening, as the latter of which looked on....almost devoid of emotion, as if secreting himself far away from the proceedings, "Agree that he needs to be studied. Thus, the Cage in the Youngblood Baronies," a nod towards Arcturus, "will continue to serve as a prison for the thing until our High Mages can properly dissect him, or rather - finish their dissection. And I expect that shall not take much longer, yes?" Damon's eyes turned more fully on his two High Mages on the Council, something mad lingering within them - dangerous mad.

Dy"Hauc responded, "It will be as you say, Dy"Logos.? His voice was soothing, but filled with hidden danger, as one might imagine a snake. Atticus said nothing; his stance had been made clear towards the end of session the previous day. As High Mage of the First Sword, he had brought before the Council that there were certain elements within the Sword that thought to pursue the war via different means, more peaceful means. Damon would have none of it, responding with cited incidences of the Puhra Dahli treachery in the face of such overtures.

Fiona listened intently, making notes of the topics discussed and their intended resolutions. She used her own version of shorthand as she wrote on a small board placed across her lap. She would detail the meeting in full afterwards, just another of her duties in record keeping. She looked up as she made the last note, taking the opportunity in the sudden lull. She placed her board down on her seat and took her notes with her as she approached the podium. She walked before the Council in a simple long sleeved, lilac gown. Her deep red hair was down in light waves, save for the braided crown around her head.

She stopped before them on what she came to know as the unofficial marker on the floor of the amphitheater. Her soft brown flat shoes were embossed with hand sewn designs. Pastel green vines, red roses, and lavender blooms lined the top edging of the shoe against her pale skin. With her head held high, she stood emotionlessly, waiting to be addressed by the Council.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-02-07 01:53 EST
"Now that we've discussed the matter of the interloper - for the final time, I should hope," Damon continued, as he glanced at a sheaf of papers, drawing one from the bottom of the pile and placing it on top, a subtle sneer twisting his lips and quickly hidden, "Yet another matter I wish to deal with for the last time," his voice had dropped, causing silence among those assembled if they wished to hear, "My....Lady....Fiona," glancing from the papers to her, finally, "You have a report on some matter within the Arknight Baronies, the Council believes?"

The Elder Youngbloods seemed to relax, even as Damon's tone grew more ominous, while Atticus and Brend - both of the First Sword - attention had peaked in curiosity that was idle, with no notion of what might await, or apparently whatever orders Fiona had been given.

Fiona took a deep breath, trying to calm her trembling nerves. She had been before the Council so many times that she became comfortable in its pomp and circumstance, but this time was different. She spoke loudly and clearly to announce herself to the Council, "Lady Fiona O"Neill of House Tain, Herald of the Grand Council."

She didn't need to begin with her name and rank. The setting was more lax in its standards than usual. The long ceremony added to everyone's desire to move on without the unnecessary traditions. She remained determined in her etiquette. She paused, and then continued. "Upon inspection of the location, no violation was found. Any indication of a gathering appeared to have been disbanded before my arrival.? She stared at each of the Council members in the eyes as she lied. She hated him for his order over her. High Lord Kristoph Knightfall, an officer of the First Sword. Fiona tried to hide her bitterness from the Council. Instead, much to her advantage, it seemed as though she was simply aggravated for being put on a wild goose chase. It was unusual that she showed any emotion at all, though it could appear that maybe she, too, was beginning to wear down from the long meeting.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-02-07 01:56 EST
As she spoke, Azira Dy"Hauc kept moving closer and closer to the edge of his seat, his mouth opening slightly, as if in awe - that visible despite the mask. Damon on the other hand looked mildly disinterested, though the sneer would come and go as she spoke, while the rest of the Council at least seemed to not have determined her lie. Dy"Hauc moved as though he were going to draw closer to Damon. In that moment it was obvious - though not to the rest of the Council. Azira knew; somehow he knew.

And perhaps Damon didn't know, but she didn't know that he didn't know - oh the convoluted paths that hierarchies follow - and he questioned, though without knowing her possible reason for concern; his reason for asking was just that he was a discerning individual, if somewhat focused on his own goals; you don't get into a position like his without having some wiles of your own, or at the very least a group around you that can emulate them. "Lady....Fiona," he always seemed to drawl out her name, though it might have been his tired state, "....is there anything else you wish to add" You seem....contemplative. We would know your mind." Those last words carried a particular stress to them, as his iron gaze settled on her, away from the papers, and she had his full attention. Dy"Hauc remained poised on the edge of his seat, not having said anything.

Yet, at least. And it was almost impossible to know if he would; who could tell the mind of a mad man"

There was plenty Fiona wished to add. She wished to add how he was not only there at the gathering, but how he seemed to be protecting the people who gathered, almost leading them. She wished to add how he easily commanded his whole regime, how they trusted him and would seemingly do whatever he asked, let alone ordered. She wished to add how he ordered her to lie, how he would dare use his authority in rank over her" and how he almost seemed remorseful after he did" how he looked at her"

Knightfall

Date: 2014-02-08 15:23 EST
She quickly pulled herself together as she looked across the Council. Many didn't seem to notice but Dy"Hauc seemed to know what she already knew. She returned her stare back to Damon. She only needed to convince him now, but she knew she would need to provide more details, her evidence; it was what she prided herself on. She spoke honestly, "After the uncomfortable journey by horseback, I arrived at the location, but there was no service being held. After inquiring with a local patron, I learned that there had been no gatherings there." She paused, and then added with conviction, "I consider the matter closed."

Her finality is what gave her away, even as she added her last statement. Damon's eyes shifted from her, to Arcturus Youngblood, and back again.

"We have had reports to the contrary. Reliable reports. Though," and his tone was a little condescending, which was something new to her, and maybe was brought about by the fact he knew she was hiding something, if not -what-, "you have always been a loyal and true agent of the Empire."

Dy"Hauc was in danger of falling off his seat entirely, and his arm had drifted almost to the arm of Damon's seat; his glance never shifted from her. He wasn't focused because someone else was feeding him information, no; he had ways of getting it himself.

In the very few seconds of silence that had preceded Fiona's last retort to Damon, it had been almost like he'd been lip reading - except her thoughts. And though creepy, he had never shown himself as exactly threatening to her before - though his motivations were seen almost by everyone as being confusing and bizarre, if they could be determined at all.

As Damon had been speaking, Lord Sinistrad of House Arknight had risen to his feet and sat down again, repeating the process as he searched through files of his own, before descending in the aisle adjacent Fiona's, with an adjacent lectern. Damon gestured, and Sinistrad never made it to the lectern. Armed members of House Tain apprehended him.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-02-09 02:46 EST
"For good or ill," Damon spoke, in an attempt to maintain order as other orders were carried out, "Due to this controversy - as everyone here knows well the dangers of organized religion, and how it is not tolerable within this Empire we have created - I feel it best if House Arknight were Disavowed, at least for the time being. While we," he darted a smirk to Kane and Arcturus before continuing, "sort this through. Clearly, someone is fabricating."

As he spoke, hushed conversations had erupted. The Storm Lords looked pole axed, and Sinistrad was almost spitting in indignation as he was lead away, and out of the amphitheater. Jonas followed him, also taking his leave, his uncles remaining.

Fiona was stunned by Damon's patronizing response. Her mouth opened slightly as she scoffed silently. It didn't matter if she wasn't telling the complete truth. She was always the good little military secretary. Even now, she was simply following orders.

This whole thing had been a mess. She didn't even want to go on the fact finding trip. And what did it lead to' The first time she had to lie to the Council. The first time the Council called her word into question. The first time during a meeting that she ever felt on edge, that she let her emotions betray her. She watched as the High Seat of House Knightfall rose to speak in defense but was shut out by members of her own House. She looked to Dy?Hauc then. They both knew more than they cared to reveal. A turmoil of emotions now, she forgot her place and stared at him, daring him with a resentful glare.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-03-04 22:31 EST
Dy Hauc matched her stare for a long moment, and the moment stretched on until the entire moment seemed surreal.

It was as if time stood still.

And maybe it did for a moment, as the entire Pavilion was draped with silence. The only noticeable change was the twisting of Dy'Hauc's mask as he met her stare for stare. Except for that, the entire chamber was bereft of movement or sound, even as he stood, ebony robes fluttering about him, stirred by non existent breeze.

Speaking in a voice that was a murmured cacophony, a susurrus of a half dozen voices blended together into one, and that one sounding by times vaguely mad, and perhaps more terrifyingly, lucid - given that little good was ever gained from having a one on one conversation with him. It seemed at the moment though, there was little for him to wax poetic about, as he spoke simply if cryptically, "....I would tell you to remember this moment, but....we both know that you will, now don't we." the low speech. Was he low himself, or was he showing disrespect to her?

A matter of....perspective.

Her anger quickly turned to fear. She was so cold. Her hands felt like ice, like all the blood was drained from her. She could not even move, locked in his stare. She felt stuck in a nightmare, unable to scream to wake herself up. She wasn't even sure if she was frozen from the stop in time around them, or if she was petrified by her own terror. His words hit her hard, almost knocking the breath out of her.

She would remember. Always.

Dy'Hauc moved from the Council seats, and stepped delicately down around their shared lecterns and approached those granted to those in audience, namely, the one which Fiona stood before. He stood before her for a long moment, after drawing little more than an arms length or two away. The mask was creased enough around the mouth to reveal either a smile, or a dramatically sad face - with matching creases around the eyes. But with his voice constantly altered, there was no way to tell for sure; not even a way in truth to tell if he was male or female, so much did the mask - or what one assumes is the masks doing - alter the voice of the wearer.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-03-04 22:40 EST
Eventually, Dy Hauc seemed to lose interest in Fiona, but that was only superficial. Instead, he reached down and plucked the man who was sitting next to her from his seat, and let him fall to the ground....and shatter into what looked to be chunks of red and white glass. Though in truth it was bone and sinew....and what would that look like, then, when the world around them reengaged with mainstream reality' One could only guess, while trying not to imagine too hard....apropos. He sat in the now vacant chair, and addressed her again.

"Don't be so insipid; you're my creature. Did you know that""

The voice, though still mutated into something utterly creepy and off putting by the mask, was at least casual in its tone of conversation. "You're not under any geas, and I have placed a freedom ward on you, so stop acting like one of these other mindless apes, frozen where they stand." He leaned back in the chair, as if making himself comfortable, raising a hand to wave sundry to the fact he was carrying on the conversation by himself, at least until now.

"Do you know what the easiest thing, Fiona, about serving the side of Oblivion...""

Fiona turned slowly to follow Dy Hauc's movements. Her eyes widened seeing the man shatter before her. She exhaled quickly when Dy Hauc bade her to move. She swallowed hard, trying to collect herself. She tilted her head upwards slightly, falling back to her false bravado. She knew he could easily see through it, but it was the only thing she was able to do in order to react to him, especially when she refused to answer such a question. She wouldn't play his games.

"The easiest thing about serving Oblivion, is that all you must do is....give in." As he spoke, it became more and more difficult to determine if it was male or female, because that voice took on decidedly female, soothing tones. "The betrayal," it began again, "is one of memory, you see. Not only in your case, but memories betrayal of....everyone. Memories ultimately....fail, fade away; or when they don't, it's the remembering of a thing that's lost to you....that eats you....and eats you..." as Azira spoke, he leaned sideways towards her, ever so slightly, his voice decreasing to a hiss by the end of his statement.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-03-04 22:45 EST
Fiona's head remained high. After Dy Hauc's hiss, she involuntarily released a small sound from her closed mouth. She acted as though it was a precursor to what she had to say, but in truth, she felt the need to speak to cover her whimper as it got closer to her. "I hold to my statement." She tried to speak defiantly. She had only assumed that his speak of betrayal was in regard to her lie. She turned her head to look him in the eye and continued harshly, "It is not my memory that has failed."

"No, it hasn't. In fact, I'm counting on it not failing." Though there was nothing grotesque about the smile, that mask....something about it made everything more sinister. He drew closer still, his eyes meeting hers, not blinking....never blinking....and then he turned away abruptly and began gesturing towards the pile of broken man flesh, his index finger tracing a looping spiral in the air as darkness seemed to open around the offensive detritus.

And swallowed it into the void.

"On any other subject....we would have let this pass, you know" But religion," Azira "tsked" behind the mask, "Now, there are...."Imperial regulations" we have to adhere to..." those words about the Empire....something in that tone was mocking. "I can....feel it, I'm very sensitive to things like that, oh," an almost manic gleam appearing in his eyes, "Yes, oh so....sensitive," the eyes closed, and he drew in a long breath, filled with almost a sense of ecstasy, and holding it - eyes opening again to regard her speculatively.

Still glaring at him directly, she turned her body to face him as well. She extended her arms slightly, showing her palms up in taunting gesture. "Then let us return to our 'regulations" and," She motioned slightly towards the crowd with one of her open palms, though never turning away from him, as she concluded, "performance."

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-03-04 22:48 EST
Azira grinned behind the Serpent Veil, though the mask showed little of his expression. Seeing her, hearing her, trying to squirm back some semblance of normalcy was giving him pleasure.

Absently and subtly, he reached out as though looking to grab a piece of the man who had been shattered, and whose time frozen corpse was now scattered in pieces around the floor; as he reached out, he murmured words that most would find painful to listen to - though they would make no intelligible sense, the words spoken were those from beyond creation itself, and summoned the Deadlights.

As he murmured several rays of a sickly white light spread from his hand, striking each piece, no matter how minute. As soon as the rays struck, the pieces in question began to lose their solidity, and their colors inverted....before they faded from existence all together. Whatever he had used hadn't simply disintegrated the remnants, it had made it as though they never were - not even a speck of dust, or drop of blood remained. Moving from his position near her and walking backwards again towards the dais, Dy Hauc leveled a mocking bow towards her - and one of the eyes behind his mask winked at her. He turned partially towards Damon now, and the air was filled with the normal noises that would associate with the regular operation of the Pavilion.

Fiona's head jerked back slightly as he spoke his inhuman words. In the room still filled with stone silence of the crowd unmoving around them, it wasn't hidden well. She studied the light, but soon turned her attention to the pieces fading out of existence. As the last piece faded, she turned to look him in the eyes. It was then when she caught his wink. She glared at him in disgust. Her look faded quickly as she was distracted by the sudden sound of everyone moving around her once more. She turned to look around at the audience behind her and those around her on the floor.

"My Lord," Dy Hauc began, "We would suggest that, again, due to the ....sensitive nature of this matter, that the Lady Fiona herself take the notice of Disavowal to Lord Arknight." Still, Azira's eyes never left Fiona.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-03-05 21:09 EST
Damon leaned now towards Dy Hauc, murmuring, "What's the name the Second Sword has taken to calling him; Knightfall, is it' Is it true that those in his command have actually adopted it' We shall have to make them....reconsider how closely they embrace a traitor, in different guise or not."

He reasserted himself and continued, louder, for the benefit of everyone in the Pavilion, "House Arknight is officially Disavowed; let none speak of that House again," smiling, with a slight air of condescension towards Fiona, "Except of course for you, on your giving him notice. If he wishes to take up the name the commons have given him of course," he gestured widely, in somewhat the same manner Fiona had earlier to Azira....he then continued his speech under his breath, though the closest rows of the theater could hear him regardless - not that he cared.

"Names are power, and he'll have none of the Empires blessing, I vow -that- at the very least," Damon's voice now rose again, more dramatically, "This business I call to an end, you make take notice of the fallen's Disavowal on the morrow, Lady. Now to new business, Lords Arcturus and Kane. Lands to the west of yours, good, agricultural and woodlands, have just been vacated, would you like to discuss..." Damon went on, and Azira smiled again towards Fiona - this time the action noticeably twisting the mask near his mouth into an odd expression. Several men upon hearing the change in business stood, and made their way towards the exit.

Fiona's stance shifted once more to turn and face Damon as he began speaking again. She had a look of concern as she heard her order. Up until now, she had been able to follow her orders, but she didn't like this. Of all Dy Hauc's powers, she hoped he could read her mind. Even if not, her words were clear from her stare.

You are right about one thing, Dy Hauc. I will remember this moment.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-03-05 21:29 EST
Fiona grabbed her things, left the podium, and returned to her seat while they moved on to the next business. She never opened her notes or took down a word as Damon or the other council members spoke during the rest of the assembly. She would watch them each as they made simple comments. She only now began to realize how they could nonchalantly destroy worlds with mere mention of a few words. They spoke casually as though they were considering what to eat for supper. Did they even understand the power that they held, or did they become blind to it as she once was. She listened to every careless word until Damon's conclusion.

She had her orders. She picked up her things while the rest of the audience and council began to leave. She started on her way back to her office. How could she go to him and tell him this" Disavowal" She had only heard of it happening a few times before. They were exiled and never heard from again. Some rumors spread that they all met unfortunate, well timed demises, but she could never believe it. There was never any proof, after all.

Upon exiting the main Council area of the Pavilion, a man accosted her. Black hair, blue eyes and attire: one of the Storm Lords, Atticus D"Arcstorm. For a moment as he regarded her as she approached, his eyes were as chrome - then back to vibrant blues. His mannerisms were stiff, almost automaton like as he waited for her to near before addressing her.

"Lady O"Neill," he had been in the Council, and seen everything that had gone on before hand, "We request a moment of your time." His tone was brusque, but anyone who had spoken to him before knew not to take that personally - it was just his way, he had little in the way of social graces, though he was highly intelligent.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-03-05 21:44 EST
The man certainly provided enough of a distraction to get her attention. "We""

Fiona only noticed Atticus so far. She briefly recognized him from the council. Great. More orders from someone wanting something else. She already was caught up in her orders, plus her own attempts to help someone. So far, nothing was going right when she got involved. She paused in front of him, holding her notes against her. "What may I do for you, my Lord?" She nodded her head down politely, then returned her green eyes to meet his blue.

Atticus quirked an odd look at her, always finding formalities such as the ones she evidenced to be peculiar, and only indulging in them because others were often put off when he didn't. His tone was hushed, though his demeanor - by his own ignorance likely - didn't imply any secrecy to his words; the words he spoke, however, soon made it clear the need for reserve, "There are certain of us who support High Lord Ark-," he paused, head tilting consideringly, "Kristoph. Even now, an agent of ours, a mutual contact, is in communication with the High Lord's baronies." His head tilted the other way, as if unsure of how to proceed, "This person will contact you tomorrow, after you have delivered your given agenda to Kristoph, his name is-" and he stopped suddenly, eyes meeting hers a moment longer, then shifting to glance at someone behind her who had encroached upon their privacy.

Fiona blinked rapidly a few times, trying to keep up with him. She wondered why he felt the need to use Lord Arknight's name with her. She barely knew him. She tried not to become defensive, but only began to wonder why she felt defensive when apparently the man was on Lord Arknight's side. She tried to listen carefully, but then he paused. For a brief moment, she just assumed he must have lost his train of thought. If his mind was half as scattered as his words, it would be impressive he could get thoughts out at all.

She blinked once more realizing what was wrong by his glance passed her. She said casually, and loudly enough to alleviate any concerns from anyone behind her, "Yes, my Lord. I will help you with your census once I have enough time. I look forward to working with you?" She trailed off, hoping to take some further cue from him once the coast was clear, or to go their separate ways if need be.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-03-05 21:48 EST
Atticus's eyes slid back to her as she began to speak in response, and there was neither confusion or comprehension in them - it was like talking to a golem, for all he gave away. He suddenly jerked a small nod and bow after a moment though, as if in answer, "Very well, Lady O"Neill. You have our gratitude for your assistance," his head tilting somewhat, "I would find it impossible to finish on my own, as I must take my leave of....the Council for sometime. Please give these regards to the others involved in the census."

He never got a chance to finish his original message to her, as his eyes slid once again over her shoulder, and he nodded as if in greeting, only to follow with words that would remove all doubt, "Lord Youngblood, greetings. I have the revised formulae for you that you requested I proof for you, attend me at my quarters, if you would." He would turn back to Fiona for a moment, and manage a stiff bow, "My Lady. Until we are well met again." And with that, he moved past her to move away with Lord Kane Youngblood, who cast her a questioning, suspicious look, but was quickly occupied by Atticus's detailed words on the necessary means of whatever spellcraft Kane had sought to have checked.

Fiona blinked hard before attempted to politely nod once more, but he was already on his way. Her nod turned into her shaking her head instead. She used the opportunity to turn to glance over her shoulder. Watching as he led Lord Youngblood away, she sighed. She was used to working with both sides in her mediations. Now, she was lying to the council and speaking with people in secret meetings. When did I pick a side"

Knightfall

Date: 2014-03-17 12:24 EST
~~~

"The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary. Men alone are quite capable of every wickedness." -Joseph Conrad

~~~

Pavilion Grand Council

Interlude

"Which ones"" the voice came, muffled as though behind a mask - which it was, though it wasn't Azira Dy'Hauc who spoke now. Another of their Cabal it seemed had taken to that particular facial affectation. Arcturus.

"All." That was Dy'Hauc, though the tone was wrong by virtue of its succinct answer.

"We have famliy among the First Sword as well, Azira; do you expect us to-" The other of their Cabal. Kane Youngblood, now spoke - questioned.

"I expect obedience, as its the price you vouched to pay for your power. Now. Serve. Without their officers core, the remnants of the body of the First Sword will fall to the officers of the Second; the people have become too enamored of the way the First Sword has been treating them - and this poses a danger to us. Loyalty must be owed to the Imperigum, not a group who operate outside the law and outside the Empire, according to their whims - no matter the fact that it was we agents of Empire who made them what they are." Possibly the longest speech anyone had heard Dy'Hauc ever give, at least and lived to preach to others.

"Many of them are not longer even on the front lines-" Arcturus began again, only to be silenced with a gesture from the Serpent Veiled High Mage.

"That....is part of the problem. Too many questioning the way we prosecute this endeavor, not willing to view the larger picture and what we risk. The officers of the First Sword are nearly all withdrawn from the front lines - or advanced so far beyond them they no longer realize what happens there. The demolition of House Arknight will be the first among many; the Storm Houses have been separate too long, it will soon be time again for them to find unification."

Kane spoke up to this, "The young Lord Atticus is progressing nicely, one might say, at least for our cause; he's a true conduit of the arcane, with only the barest shell of humanity to him. He's exactly what we want, the ability to think clearly - logically - with only thoughts of serving Empire, serving us."

The eyes behind Azira's Serpent Veil narrowed as he scanned the upper echelons of the Pavilion, with a glance towards the silent Damon, who sat with his head bowed - drool running down onto his chin; the recipient of one of Azira's more powerful mind altering spells. Though the two of them were often naturally aligned in desire anyway, Dy'Hauc took no chances and essentially had destroyed the barriers Damon might have had to anything Azira might cast, leaving him open at anytime to puppet like possession. Such as during the middle of the Grand Council sessions.

"Stay aware, my Lords," Azira spoke, his voice low as he kept his vigil, "....there are forces not yet known to us at work here as well, standing upon the fringes of all our plans. I don't know them....yet, but soon....we shall have a meeting. From whatever source came that other Kaius - the one who doesn't recognize his loyalty to us - that is one of the fringe powers....though not the most potent. Maintain your vigil."

Lest Darkness Find Our Cause.

~~~

"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." - Oscar Wilde

~~~

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-03-24 22:50 EST
Part IV: Precognition

~~~

"Gratitude looks to the Past and love to the Present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead." ― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

~~~

Predawn.

The first light of the sun not yet gracing the land, and already there was minor bustle about the gateways - unusual, though those in attendance kept mostly to themselves. Normally it would be an hour after the sun had breached the horizon before activity could be seen of any kind that was actually static in one area - in this case around the gate; the three men in attendance watched the bustle mostly without interest, as goods were ferried to and fro, morning cookfires were being lighted, and - as in this case - the proclamations of yesterday were set about to be enforced. One of the three men kept mostly to himself, and was geared for travel, bearing the markings of House Tain & badges of the First Sword.

The other two men were geared similar, though their attire was more worn - and instead of proudly showing their badges, they kept them hidden beneath the folds of their cloaks. Of the duo, there was an apparent age difference of ten years - perhaps a little more, though those that knew them would recognize that it was a much greater span of time than their appearances would indicate. As they waited, the elder seemed anxious - almost to the point of agitation; at times he would stand from a lean and circumnavigate the Gates, eying the ring like frame that rose into the air from its base at ground level, and giving a soft sigh looked towards the east in an attempt to mark the hour before returning to his compatriot.

Fiona approached on the back of a white mare with a long, gray mane. She rode on a simple blanket with her legs thrown over to one side. On official business, she wore a more professional dress. A long navy blue gown with gold trim. If not for the trim, it would have seemed rather plain. Plain was always more her style. She rode a few feet from the men and proceeded to jump off from her horse. She jumped down with a soft grunt, more disappointed with herself in the situation. She should have been able to travel by means of the gateway magic she had been learning, but she had given it up to devote her time to her record keeping and mediation for the Council. She had become too used to creating the gateways at specific points around the empire, but she neglected her own personal abilities. She stopped a few feet from them and nodded politely.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-03-24 22:56 EST
By the time her presence was ascertained, by all members who were waiting in attendance, they were moving towards the spot where she certainly must stop - if not by the dictates of common sense then by their obstruction.

In truth, all three men would have been familiar - though it had been some time since she had seen them, particularly the one who stood on his own with the markings of her House. He held himself back slightly more than the other two, of which the other approached her in the lead, striding towards her mare and reaching up with a practiced hand after she had reined in, stroking the beasts face while bringing his hand down underneath its chin to avoid aggravating it - and being bitten.

The gesture was so casual that he would have seemed to have done it hundreds of times before, and in its tone was a subtle hint of affection that a warrior - especially a trained Knight - felt for those loyal beasts, animals, that bore them into battle and fought at their side when trained and commanded to.

"My Lady," the elder began, the very barest tone of hope in both eyes and tone of voice, "....come you with news?" He spoke the High Speech, as he often had when addressing her; though there was something about his mannerisms that spoke to the fact that it was not for her station, perhaps, that the tone of respect - close to bordering on adoration - was afforded to her.

The younger, looking somewhat bored and terribly alert at the same time, flickered his eyes between Fiona and the newcomer to the scene, who bore the sigils of House Tain. He cleared his throat at Kristoph's back as the elder was addressing the Lady, "....should this be a....private conversation?"

Her eyes turned to the man who addressed her. She recognized him and the younger man as the ones who had come to her asking for aid in locating someone. She had almost forgotten. Thinking for a moment, she recalled the information quickly. "Yes, I believe the man you are looking for is considered a war criminal and being held in one of the Youngblood Baronies. To my knowledge, he is being interrogated" harshly, in a location known as the Cage.?

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-03-24 23:14 EST
Fiona's green eyes went to the third man. She eyed his House Tain emblem for a moment, then darted her eyes to his. She recognized him from their youth. They had grown up together but their paths in House Tain separated too much for their friendship to continue or become more. Whenever they would be around each other for House formalities, she would become defensive even aggressive to keep him away. He may have been able to break down her walls if she ever gave him the chance. Between disavowals and "interrogations", she knew her world was too chaotic to let someone in.

The third man was now regarding her more openly. His gear looked to be relatively new, though what that spoke of it was hard to say. Either a noviate, or simply newly equipped. He smiled up at her, drawing back his hood though the other two kept theirs raised. His hair was long and dark, his eyes dark brown pools; as he came closer, the edge of his lip curled into an easy, almost practiced smile.

"Fiona," he bowed, only slightly - not as deeply as he should have if it were actually a formal occasion, "I trust you've heard you are to be accompanied to the traitors lands?" One shoulder readjusted his pack, the other hand falling to the hilt of his sword strapped to his waist. "Adam Briggs, House-"

Kristoph's mouth opened again as he was about to speak, but now the youngest appearing of the three moved fowards, a hand reaching out to Adam's shoulder, not over aggressive but firm, "Yeah, great....Biggs" Kind of arrogant, but we were here first I think -" He too was cut off as the elder now turned towards both of them with a slight scowl.

"Kaiden. Enough." Kristoph's eyes fixed more completely on Adam, noting the badges. One implied First Sword, even First Company....which he noted with interest. "We're done soon enough here, friend," to Adam, "only another moment and we'll be about our business; if I may correct you though, on your etiquette....when you address this woman, you call her "Lady"." His words were quietly spoken, and not disrespectful....but something of their measure said that he would tolerate no derivation from the last admonition he'd given, in its implications - "She's a Lady, you will address her as such. And treat her as such. You do not wish me to hear of it different. Ever.?

Knightfall

Date: 2014-03-24 23:23 EST
Fiona smiled as Kaiden interrupted Adam. It saved her the trouble of saying something biting back. Adam was probably the only person she wouldn't put on her false bravado for. Fiona had begun to interrupt the man coming to her defense of her title, putting up an open palm to him and opening her mouth. She was soon quieted by his harshness. She dropped her hand before beginning to Adam, "One moment, Ad" Lord Briggs." She turned to look at the elder of the three, showing her respect for his formality as well as giving him her full attention.

A brief flicker of shame crossed Kristoph's face as her attention returned to him; he hadn't meant to sound like that, not in front of her....but when there was another out there, waiting....it was hard to be patient. On one hand, Adam's gaze upon her was both desiring and slightly flirtatious....Kristoph's meanwhile was ....full of something deeper, and unsaid - confusing for their relationship as it was as nothing in this place and time - but somehow....pure. "We thank you....my Lady."

There, in the way he finally addressed her himself - a single note of longing. He wished to call her something other than "my Lady" as well, though the mixed signals in his demeanor left it open as to what.

Behind his back, Kaiden's eyes were fixed in their peripheral stare at Adam, who smirked at Kristoph as soon as the latter once again faced away. Kaiden interrupted, as was his habit, "Lord Kn...."my Lord"," a touch of sarcasm, perhaps, "Time?" His eyebrows raised slightly, glancing at the rays first breaking the eastern sky. Kristoph's lips curled only slightly at Kaiden's words, as they were reminiscent of....himself, when he was less weary.

"Yes, for the love of salvation and hope of our rebirth, yes..." turning on him for a moment, and shaking his head before facing Fiona again, "Apologies," his lips turning to a more genuine, and gentle smile, "If you could aid us in one more thing, and open a Gate..." his words trailed off, and he added softly, "my Lady.?

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-03-24 23:27 EST
Fiona looked concerned at his request. She could easily open an Imperial Gate for them but the closest was in a highly regulated area. She didn't know how good the two were, but if they weren't already on the council's radar, they would be if they stepped out from that gate. She knew the perfect secluded place to drop them off where they would be able to get close to where the Cage was supposed to be, but it was so far from their current location. Even if she had kept up her studies, it still would have been difficult due to the distance.

She sighed heavily. This man stood up for her, now, of all times, when everyone else seemed to be pulling her down. Everyone seemed to be asking things of her now, but he seemed to have some sense of righteousness in which all he did wasn't for his own gain. She half smiled and spoke formally.

"Yes, I think I can arrange something. Please give me a moment."

She turned towards the direction she wanted to bring them and stared off for a moment, as if seeing passed the fields, forests, and buildings separating them. She stared until her eyes almost seemed to glaze over, as if not seeing anything at all. Bringing her hands up, her held her palms a few inches from each other. As she held them there a moment, a small cloud of dust began to form in the air a few feet in front of her. It slowly began to condense into a small cloud of gray particles with an occasional silvery sparkle.

As she slowly began to pull her hands apart, the silver became much thicker in the cloud, eventually forming curved lines and creating a rough organic oval shape about five feet tall and two feet wide, about a foot off the ground. She looked down at her hands about two feet apart now, and looked back to her gate.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-03-24 23:33 EST
Fiona breathed deeply, trying not to show how much it took out of her to create the spectacle. Dropping one hand to her side, she reached out with the other. Taking a few steps, she grabbed hold of the outer ring of the gate, her hand almost surrounding in gray sparkling mist. She acted confident, like holding on to the ring was all a part of the procedure.

In truth, it took so much out of her, she was afraid she would lose it if it wasn't connected to her. She doubted if she would event be able to keep it up enough to allow the men to pass through it. She looked to the elder of the men and tried not to sound as weakened as she felt, "I wish you luck on your journey." She reached out her free hand to him, hoping he and Kaiden would take her hand as they walked through, trying to stabilize the connection as much as she could.

As the arcane energies of the Imperial Gate system was manipulated, rerouted by force of will, an event horizon began to take shape in the mist, providing a more definite point of entrance; as it rose before them, reality itself seemed to ripple within the circumference of the gate, sending disorienting waves pulsing outward - though few and far between as yet.

The two men didn't waste time, and moved quickly towards her. The younger, however, moved to stand aside her, while Kristoph slipped a hand into hers, fingers sliding almost protectively around hers, while the other gently graced the small of her back.

If she took notice of the nature of his touch, of how delicate it was, and how supportive....as an almost calming aura seemed to radiate from the spots their skin made contact, and Justicar began to pulse with a soft, crimson glow keeping pace with his heart like a metronome....then he took no notice of that notice.

Instead, he looked straight ahead at the Imperial Gate, the corners of his mouth twisted slightly upwards into a small smile as his eyes quickly scanned the lines of power that had gone into its fashioning. The look upon his face was quite unmistakably....pride.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-03-24 23:38 EST
Kaiden, in his passing glanced from Fiona to the gate, and back and forth again, gave her a look more considering than he had before, eyebrows raised if just a touch, and a touch impressed at that.

"We abide only at," Kristoph had begun to speak, turning to her momentarily before reaffirming his gaze on the swirling vortex, "....your....pleasure, my Lady. Proceed, when you are ready. Where we follow, you'll go." His hesitation at defining it at "her" pleasure....a moment stolen to think about his wife, as he often did. Stealing moments, when he could. He smiled, staring ahead into the portal as his thumb pressed lightly against Fiona's hand. Soon, he would be with her again. He felt it.

Once he held her hand and touched her lower back, she smiled. She looked down a moment. She would go with them if she could but she had a job to do. She needed to go with Adam to inform House Arknight of its disavowal. Her duty always came first. She was too drained to hide her disappointment when she looked back up at him and said softly, "I can only help you through the door. You have to complete you own duties, just as I will have to complete mine here." She softly tightened her fingers around his hand. A delicate, hidden gesture. She continued to look into his eyes, hoping he would go while he still could, while she could still hold the gate open, and while she would still allow him to go.

His smile grew slowly as she told him what she did, and his eyes stayed focused on hers - not needing to read her lips to know almost word for word what she would say. The hand at her back reluctantly withdrew, and his smile lessened - if only a bit - as this was not, his wife.

But....it was still....her.

His thumb lightly squeezed the hand he still held, "I knew you'd say that," not at all in the High Speech - just....a comfortable, familiar tone. Turning to Kaiden while letting their grip fall to barely a touch, he nodded to the younger, gesturing towards the gateway, "You've been almost peeling your skin off for the chance to actually fight someone. Now might be your chance."

Knightfall

Date: 2014-03-24 23:49 EST
A small grin appeared on the faces of both men now, and perhaps something could be taken from that - from how casually they thought of confrontation, no matter what form it took.

Something about the thrill of the challenge; there was something in their way, and they would find a way to go over it, under it, around it - and in some cases - through it. It was almost a question of wrestling with fate; when a situation is presented and is not to your like it, do you accept it' Or do you fight on towards your goals"

They were simply men that refused to back down, even if the rhetoric would seem to imply more. And in that notion - the defiance of fate - how many men could call each other ally, if they could only recognize that common foe"

Drawing his two blades from a single sheath, Kaiden surged forward with a confident smile, relaying to Kristoph over his shoulder, "Give me a 20 count, then follow." Kristoph merely shook his head....and let his fingertips continue to brush against hers.

Her eyes widened at the youth's enthusiasm. She bit her tongue, wishing for half of his energy right now, considering her's was draining the longer she held the door open for them. Still, she felt like she could handle it, something about the way the elder held her hand, the way he spoke to her, the way he looked at her. "You should go," she said in a soft tone, "Your allies need you."

The power on the threshold of the gate began to flicker and surge, and Kristoph cursed himself for having make her wait and hold it - knowing the dangers inherent; his pride had won him over temporarily. His demeanor was suddenly hurried, "Forgive young men for being foolish; in my youth, I was prone to falling prey to my heart," the pause wasn't a matter of taking time from finishing, but that look in his eyes when he glanced back at her as his fingers slipped away from hers, "I suppose, some things never change." He turned away quickly, and strode through the portal while reaching up over his shoulder to unsling Justiciar, his sword.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-03-24 23:53 EST
Fiona closed her eyes after he spoke. She would have argued that it was from the stress of the gate. She didn't see him go through, but she could feel the moment he left her. As soon as he stepped out from the other side, she pulled both of her hands back, releasing her hold of the door. As the gateway instantly dissipated into a light fog around her, she dropped to the ground. Her mare snorted at the fog as it blew passed her and into the air. Bent over on her knees, Fiona breathed hard, just grateful to have kept the door up as long as she did. Normally she wouldn't have wanted to show that weakness to Adam, but she had little choice.

Adam was at her side in moments, dropping down to one knee and extending a hand to her.

"My Lady," his voice had softened now, doing a disturbingly good job of imitating the behaviour that he had noted she seemed to favor, "please, allow me." By chance or by choice, his change in demeanor did come at a point she was at her most vulnerable, and he was of House Tain...."Will you require rest before we head into the Knightfall," he tried, hard. It was a skill he must have worked on mastering for years, hiding contempt like he was. But ultimately, he was betrayed by the smallest of smirks when he'd uttered the Houses fallen name, so named by lay people, "baronies, or is this a temporary ailment' I won't allow you to exert yourself to the point of harm, we can find another to operate the gates for us..."

Still breathing hard, she took his hand and pulled herself up slowly. She dusted herself off, taking another deep breath as she looked down. How stupid she felt now for wearing the navy dress. She was tired now and would be upset about it later. Her green eyes were dull when she looked at him. She tilted her head up so she could look down at him with a playful smirk as if to say "That's how a real man treats a "Lady"" still trying to embarrass him from before.

"No, thank you. I'll be fine. Please help me onto my horse."

Knightfall

Date: 2014-03-25 00:01 EST
Adam's smile was tight, as he nodded and turned approaching her mare on its left side and lacing his fingers together for her boot, saying not a word and taking it all completely in stride, appearing completely subservient. And who could question his merit as a gentleman, now" At least that's what his eyes might indicate to someone who was analyzing him - some demented, miniature, triumph. "At your leisure, my Lady." He would wait to help her up, offering footrest, a guiding hand, whatever she sought, then seek out his own mount. Dreadful unmindful creature that it was, having to be hobbled tightly close by.

Fiona smiled as she slowly walked up to him offering her a foothold. She shook her head and laughed lightly. She grabbed his hands and put them around her waist so he could lift her up so she could return to her side saddle position. She smiled as he lifted her. She hoped resting on her horse would help her tired body, but it was more her magic that was spent.

From the back of her mare, she looked to the position of the gateway she had made for the two. This should have been an easy thing for her, but it was clear from the rough and crackling edges of the gate that slowly began to form, that her casual demeanor was merely of her false bravado.

He'd turned from her, heading back to his own chestnut gelding, and working to untether it. His face burned with slight shame, though he would never let her see that.

No, in his mind's eye he knew what she needed to see is all that he had accomplished, how far he'd brought himself - through his own hard work. Now it was men from the Houses of Lords that would approach him for their daughters hand, and it would be for him to deny them....He....he had almost lost himself in egomaniacal reverie, but caught himself just in time and visually checked the gate, seeing it begin to flicker and falter. Grabbing a crop affixed across the top of the saddle, he took it and struck at the horses flank, causing it to surge forward. Hand wielding the crop on the saddlehorn, the other upon the hilt of his sword, Adam spurred himself ahead of Fiona, and into and through the gate.

How long, one might wonder, before she begins to truly question the value of his role as a herald - or harbinger.

~~~

"There is a strange moment in time, after something horrible happens, when you know it's true, but you haven't told anyone yet.? ― Barbara Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible

~~~

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-04-05 22:16 EST
Part V: Riding to Rose Court

~~~

"For there to be betrayal, there would have to have been trust first." " Suzanne Collins

~~~

Arknight Baronies.

In Transit.

Though it was one of the more northernly settlements, winter had not yet come to the Arknight Baronies, and the feel of early autumn still clung in the air. Comfortably warm by day, and cool by night; and the semi sweet smell of the dying vegetation as leaves and grasses gave into longer nights and shorter days. The ride and journey thus far had been relatively peaceful, their conversation kept short by the brisk pace they had set - but travel by Gate seemed somehow more taxing on things which were not human - at least so it was with beasts of burden, livestock, and other domestics, though none knew why that was save maybe the Gates creators. The horses were brought to a walk now, perhaps forty five minutes from their destination. Forty five minutes at a walk - which they could have done faster, except the sides of both their animals were covered in lather and their breathing was heavy.

In the distance, not yet in sight, lay a Keep - the fortress as it were - of House Arknight. It was a black granite monument, riven through in places by stone that appeared to be jade, and rose quartz window screenings; located in a place that was once the fringe of the Empire, it was by times called the Towers of Law, and more famously - the Rose Court. Some day, it would be known by a different name, but that day had not yet arrived.

It was towards their destination that Adam cast his countenance, a somewhat smug smile playing upon his lips as though he was lost in thought. Glancing sideways towards Fiona, he gave his horses flank a gentle grazing with a boot spike to encourage it sideways towards hers. As the beast complied for fear of pain, his eyes settled on her, an appraising and somewhat lecherous look that he played off into a cool, companionable smile as he watched her jostle slightly as she rode.

"My Lady," he began smoothly, "....it's true what they say, you truly are a jewel of the Empire...? his voice -was- smooth, and he'd managed to tone down the way he looked at her as he said it, so that it was not lecherous - at least, not overtly - but was obviously admiring.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-04-05 22:23 EST
Fiona felt like a mess, inside and out.

Her navy dress was completely disheveled now, having collapsed to the ground after using all her energy to open a gateway to aide a stranger had not been kind to the fabric. Her tired posture added to its wrinkling as well. She tried to engage in small talk along the way, but was appreciative for the silences. By now, she was feeling better, but the general fatigue would not go away. She had pushed herself before and knew she wouldn't feel complete until she rested properly and slept.

She was supposed to deliver a formal message from the Council, but she looked and felt like hell, and he would say this to her now. She couldn't help but start to laugh lightly.

"Right," she began while smiling at him incredulously, "So who says that?" She was much more informal with him. Growing up together, a part of the same House Tain, she had become more comfortable and familiar with him. She never acknowledged the fact that his background into the House had been on a lower standing than her own.

Her smile sired an equal reaction in him as he laughed, seemingly at himself, and managed a hesitant look away, seemingly embarrassed. "It's well known," he began, turning back to her as he spoke, "That the empire could accomplish little in terms of movements and logistics without you taking up for House Tain, and managing things as you do," continuing more softly, as his face took on an expression which might have been innocent, though just as likely was merely feigned, "I was merely offering commentary on how valuable an asset you are to," he paused, perhaps too dramatically, "....the Empire. What did you think I meant, Lady Fiona?" his head lilted slightly askew, again....was that innocent look fake" It was impossible to tell, perhaps, given his long history sharing intermittently with her - if from afar.

"Our House is known, after all, for being the emotionally detached arbiters of all things, duty first - and all that.? His words were saying one thing, but there was a veiled hunger in his eyes whenever he gazed at her too long, that spoke of something else.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-04-05 22:25 EST
Fiona shook her head, still smiling. She never believed she was vital in the grand scheme of things. It was the others on the Council who achieved things. She was merely a secretary. Her primary role had been as a record keeper, which was her passion. She was as emotionally detached as her House would indicate. People played games with each other. She had seen it too often.

Her newest role had been one of a mediator, thanks to her ability to form gateways. She would let them play their little games between both sides, but she would be uncompromising enough to lay things out so both sides could come to an agreement. Wordings of proposals and definitions of agreements was her strength and was the only thing to get both sides through negotiations. She would act as though she was important, as the catalyst for their seldom agreements, but she knew she was merely a vessel for organizing their cluttered arguments into unifying terms. This with him now was much different. She did not have to put on her false airs with him.

She looked forward, lightly teasing. "I just was wondering if someone important might have said so." She continued, looking from the corners of her eyes, "And it's just the two of us. No need to be formal here. You know my name, Adam." She couldn't help but turn and smile at him briefly as she spoke his name. He was still a good friend in her eyes. Being of House Tain, she had her own emotional and social ineptitudes, like not being able to see things in front of her, or beside her. She turned back to face forwards.

"Very well," he paused. "Fiona." His eyes never left her form for long, though she wouldn't give him much of her regard. Something of that look that he held for her was a thing that had grown since they had both been younger together, some yearning - though now, so much more adult. "Someone....important' Such as" Surely you don't suggest I socialize with Damon and Azira?" And with that statement, turned question, he took looked straight ahead. There was nothing in his tone that spoke ill, nor even in his word choice - save that he had chosen them. Damon. Azira. Two names that would not be dropped lightly, by anyone, in almost any circumstance - especially theirs, being in the line of House Tain, and stewards of the Empire.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-04-05 22:30 EST
"Do you think I play the Game of Houses, then?"

Game of Houses.

A term for the mind and power games played by nobility and aristocracy. "Perhaps I do, at that..." a brief smile appeared on his lips. It might have been hard for some to tell if he was bragging or not; on the one hand, if she understood everything that he could have been implying about how powerful he had become in his own right, then it might be seen as bragging.

However, for her to understand what he was talking about in the first place - for him to have just communicated it to her in such a way - would also imply his thoughts on her; in this case that she too had advanced in the Game more than perhaps even she was aware. That he spoke in such a veiled, circuitous manner was actually a complimentary to her.

If she understood his hints.

And if not....then his words might as well be wind, and of no substance except to add fluff to their time as they rode. Though it would not even take that trained an eye to determine that Adam was not a man given to useless posturing; posturing yes, but never useless - and always to some end beneficial to himself.

Fiona turned and looked at him as he mentioned Damon and Azira. Her playful smile had lifted to a look of concern. She wasn't exactly their biggest fan right now. It was because of them she was here now, on a trek to disavowal an entire House. She was bitter that she had to do their dirty work.

This wasn't supposed to be her job.

She wasn't supposed to be playing this "game". She sighed, still looking at him, and said regretfully, "I think everyone has a hand in the game." She was too focused on her own involvements to really pay note to the significance of his words.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-04-11 22:58 EST
Adam's face remained neutral, though he carefully weighed the tone of her voice as he continued, "Come now, Fiona," his own tone was almost chiding, "you grew up as I did in House Tain - though perhaps you were afforded a better social circle, depending on how you define such things - you must realize from living in a house of bureaucrats....peoples lives are only serious to the person living them. And everyone feels the same, that's why our lives collectively, essentially, follow the same rules as games..." his eyes had focused straight ahead as they rode, and while chiding, his voice was also conciliatory, supportive even. "One of the reasons your....allegiance is so highly sought after - or so I've heard - is that you largely refuse to play those games yourself. Forgive me if I have a slightly biased view, perhaps; but if things weren't the way they are, I never would have been able to rise high enough to hold a station that would allow me to even look you in the eyes, and you know it."

He paused a moment, appearing thoughtful and turning to her; the movements of their mounts beneath them keeping them in somewhat uniform height as they bobbed up and down upon their saddles. Clearing his throat, he continued, "Surely you don't suggest that I be apologetic for using the rules to my own advantage?" A somewhat mystified, if muted smirk, appeared upon his lips at the thought of it.

Fiona still stared at him while he spoke. She never considered things passed her own viewpoints. She considered for a moment. She had everything she could have wanted growing up, living in the same finery as she was dressed. But just like her dress, she had become spoiled. She never considered how Adam had grown up. His family was not as influential as her own. She sighed, wondering how much of what she had she had actually earned herself versus how much she had inherited through the prestige of her family. She smiled slightly as he mentioned her own strengths. When he mentioned his own standing in comparison to her, the smile faded. She met his eyes and said soberly, "No, I think it means more when we can earn a name for ourselves. We still had to work for our places, and our honors.?

Knightfall

Date: 2014-04-11 23:02 EST
Her words made him sit back in the saddle, his expression briefly flashing smug arrogance; whether he took it correctly or not, he took her response as supporting his own opinion of himself - bolstering his ego. A true telling of his persona perhaps, that something that made her clearly troubled caused him to smile, even if it was just at her acceptance of "his truth". He changed the subject, "Poor timing, this visit, though if I've heard correctly from my little birds, perhaps it will end up suiting the tastes of the soon to be former Lord Arknight; he'll have more time to stay at home with his family," he raised his brows a moment, as if he'd forgotten, "What's left of them, I guess that is. Hopefully we won't be kept long by the celebrations - or whatever it is they do out in the middle of nowhere." He spoke almost absently, off the cuff, as if assuming she knew exactly what he was talking about.

Even if she didn't.

The games of the Masters, at times, never ended - even if you thought you knew them and recognized them for what they were; a Master could and would give you cause to inquire into that which they wanted you too, for their own purposes, good or ill.

Was Adam one of these Masters, as they were known - historically - of the Game of Houses" Was he manipulating her, Fiona, now" If so, his tone, his mannerisms, conveyed none of it - fitting if he was truly innocent....or....if he had achieved a Masters rank in the Game.

Fiona blinked hard when he mentioned Arknight's family. Here she was, a woman who had gained everything from an honored family, speaking to a man who had to earn everything in spite of his humbled family, going to take away all of the honor of a man and his family. She felt manipulated, though not by Adam. She knew she was going to hurt Arknight, but didn't consider his family. She spoke slowly, as if trying to come up with answers to her own questions. "What do you mean' What's left of them' What celebrations?"

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-04-11 23:06 EST
Adam repressed a snort, "Sinistrad has been controlling Seat of the House these last, what, three years" Four?" He waved sundry, "Something to that effect, Lord Arknight hasn't seen front line service in some time, though he avails himself well among the common folk from the reputation he's built, or so I've gathered." He took a moment to glance the sun nearing the horizon; it was behind them now, almost entirely. They were headed into the last leg of the short journey, now north by north east; Rose Court and the proceedings would be in their midst shortly. "Unless I'm mistaken, I'm almost certain that it's his daughters naming day, very soon. In the next few days perhaps, at the furthest away. If you weren't aware, don't be distraught - he tends to keep his family apart from his work as much as possible, since what happened with his wife. Though I suppose even that's somewhat of a misnomer, from what I understand she wasn't conscious the last few months of her pregnancy."

Either he wasn't a complete animal, or he was just that good, because his tone did become slightly more subdued as he moved into this area of his knowledge. "They never actually married, I gather, except in some bastard ceremony performed by one of the local natives - not sanctioned in the eyes of the Empire, in other words. Since her....episode, he withdrew. It was only through the auspices of sorcery that he managed to keep his daughter. Questionable enough, in my opinion."

Fiona turned forward, trying to focus on his words and not show her dismay that she would have to deliver this message on his daughter's naming day. As he mentioned his wife's death, she felt like she would fall off her mare. She leaned forward slowly, trying to lower her center of gravity, not at all because she was feeling sick, at least she tried to hide that fact. The more he went on, the more she was unable to hide her uneasiness. She couldn't even speak, shaking her head trying to come up with something to say. What could one say after hearing horrors like that?

Knightfall

Date: 2014-04-11 23:11 EST
She finally forced words out. "She was" unconsciously kept alive to produce the child?" She knew it was what he had said, but she just needed to hear it, as if hearing it again would help her to come to terms with what he was saying.

"Well, yes. She was already pregnant, I believe, when she took ill. I can't recall now, how far along....they planned to be married once she'd healed, but it never happened, she only got worse." He shrugged, "Was it the right decision?" Another non-committal look, "It wasn't mine, thankfully." There was another slight smile upon his lips; relief perhaps, at the truth of his last statement. "Something troubles you, Fiona?" his eyebrows raised in an expression of innocence as he asked her, noticing the change in her posture as they carried on. "Frankly, I'm glad to not have children. Not yet, at the least. Perhaps someday, but not now. After I'm more....secure; they're a weakness after all. Everyone knows how much he dotes on her. Can you imagine, being in his position and leaving the front lines - his duty - to come home to look after," another meaningful glance, and still so innocent, as if not realizing the awful merit of his words, "no offense, but for a little girl" A boy, perhaps, that would serve as an heir but..."

He smiled now, apology writ across his mouth in a look that didn't quite touch his eyes, and this perhaps more than some of the other things he had said might paint him as disingenuous, "It's more uncommon to find one such as yourself, a diamond in the rough as it were, with a female prodigy or heir, than it is a little boy. You know I speak the truth."

Still distraught by the whole thought, Fiona was trying to really focus on his words. She turned to look at him as he said he didn't want children, but softened her anxious eyes at he clarified as to not yet. She never really considered children. Her life had been too focused on herself and her ambitions. But she wouldn't discredit the idea, either. She always liked to have options of what to pursue in life. Maybe that was simply the overconfidence in her house and her family standing.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-04-11 23:18 EST
Fiona tried to focus again, still in the back of her mind thinking about Arknight's daughter and what she had to go through without her mother. Fiona knew it too well. She perked up at his mention of a boy. Her mouth dropped open and she silenced a scoff. She shook her head at his ending compliment. It wasn't enough. She sat up straighter and looked forward, stating dryly, "Yes, I am aware of a man's worth."

It was a good thing, too, that she looked forward, for the smug look of satisfaction that stole over his face just then. Something in her words he took as a compliment, "You do understand of course, that I speak such things only as a testament to your own rarity. Little boys grow into more useful....tools. At least, more obvious ones." There was something sinister to his words, at how he drew them out, even if his tone remained untouched. In the distance, shapes begin to materialize on the horizon; figures mounted on horseback, cloaked or robed, without the telltale glimmer of armor that would be caused by the sun upon their backs.

He glanced towards Fiona, then to those that lay ahead, he up nodded and indicated the persons on the horizon, "We could gain more knowledge perhaps, by asking some locals, if the celebration has begun - if it would put you at ease" I understand your....tact....at not wanting to deliver your message to him in what should be an occasion for....jubilation."

She felt like she had become a tool in her own right, now. Maybe that's why she was so valued among the men of the Council. She was too quick to carry out their assignments. She nodded at his words as she noticed the riders in front of them. "Yes, I think that would be wise.?

Adam nodded again to her, and spurred his horse hard, moving quickly away from her in a few short leaps before he'd even drawn his crop and lashed it across the flanks. The only way to get to them, after all, was to increase the pace. And such a short distance wouldn't hurt the animals, not really - it wasn't like they would ride the rest of the distance at similar pacing. As he drew closer to them, they must have heard the sound of his approach as they'd stopped and semi turned to face the duo that were Adam & Fiona.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-04-11 23:31 EST
Their animals appeared to be controlled almost entirely through subtle gestures from their knees, and they rode without saddle. They were indeed cloaked, with their heads bowed so that their cowls fell forward to obscure their features entirely. The robes they wore were somewhat reminiscent of one of the more prominent monasteries; it's prominence having been reached through its ability to subvert the existing orders which had been predominant before the Consolidation: The Aurcanians.

If they were of that Order, that is. The cloaks had that look, but were clearly old and well used even if still serviceable. Like their faces, their hands were hidden in the folds of the arms of their robes. Wide wicker baskets were mounted across the rear of their mounts. Not a group geared for riding hard, or fast. But there would be none more local, save for perhaps local farmers or the like; the Aurcanians, being monks, would be more knowledgeable than most about the area.

She watched Adam as he picked up his pace towards the riders and nudged her horse; she followed a short distance behind him. With another nudge, her mare began to charge faster. Fiona was suddenly determined to make it to the locals before Adam.

Even though she hated it, she knew the protocol, and that knowledge caused her a brief, internal schism.

She was higher ranking than Adam and should take the lead, approaching and talking to the locals herself.

She would have much rather have had him do the talking and save her the effort. If he was there, he might as well do the tasks she hated.

No, he was there to escort her to the Rose Court. Isn't that what Lord D"Arcstorm had told her" That a person would contact her today, something about the Arknight issue" A "mutual contact"".

Adam was certainly known to her. As soon as she saw him waiting at the Gate for her, she knew it must have been him and he would be helping her to give her disavowal to Arknight. It made sense. She wasn't exactly delivering good news. She might need protection from this rebel House.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-04-14 22:47 EST
Adam gave an unnecessarily savage tug on the reins as she moved quickly past him, a bemused expression on his face that was likely lost on her as her own mount surged past him. A closer inspection, had there been anyone to watch, might have noted that the bemused look covered one that appeared more briefly - slight irritation. Was it possible, had he the inclination for self analysis to ask such a question, which was part of his initial reaction to her - even as a boy - was due to the fact he saw her usual silence and natural withdrawal from the world as a sign of....weakness" That she might be easily cowed and manipulated, yet still be a prize of worth given her stature in the Houses simply based upon her genetics"

Possibly.

But there were few out there who truly had the ability to delve Adam's mind as it now was. Which was so very different than when they'd been children....though, that is another story again. Striking his mount on its flank again, he moved quickly into her wake, following her at a respectable distance - yet close enough that he could hear any possible conversation - and join in where mandated. Not to mention....save her, of course, should she need it.

As the two approached the apparent Aurcanians, their full compliment was realized; three figures dressed in the somewhat dated garb of the Aurcanian Order, each astride a steed that to one who was a rider or knew horseflesh would recognize as rich for a monastery, or one who resided therein. The trio had been riding ahead of them, three abreast - with a smaller pony tied behind the middle rider, and following at the leisurely pace that they set. The pony itself was somewhat of an oddity; known as a "raizer" locally, it was colored in stripes of black and white, with a stiff ridge of a mane down its neck that would one day be a magnificent plume of rigid hair.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-04-14 22:52 EST
Upon hearing the much louder approach of Fiona and Adam, the hands of the riders fell to their sides and lightly patted the flanks of their animals, causing them to draw to a full stop. All three of them looked up from within the cowls of their hoods, but made no attempt to draw them back or reveal themselves. The rider on the far left took first accounting of Fiona, while the one on the far right watched primarily Adam. The middle rider glanced at both of them, then resumed gazing forward as if uninterested.

He that regarded Fiona raised a hand in greetings, and a voluminous robe sleeve fell down about his elbow, revealing physique more youthful than one might normally attribute to monks - but a physique that was clearly matched by his somewhat youthful voice, "Ho there, riders! Peace favor you!" The two flanking riders drew somewhat closer the middle, but otherwise stood their ground. "We head in the same direction, and I assure you, you have time; ride with us and share a palaver?"

After hearing his introduction she looked over to Adam for a moment. Her eyes were questioning as she asked herself, "Did I speak and not know it' Because he gives answers about things I have yet to fully question." She turned back to the monk and said as if nothing was wrong, "Um, yeah?" She realized she was speaking in low speech and continued more formally, "Yes, that sounds nice. I am Lady Fiona O"Neill of House Tain. My comrade is Lord Adam Briggs of House Tain. We are journeying to the Lord Arknights keep. Surely we are not late for the festivities on this celebrated day?? She was trying to play cool and subtly imply they knew about it and must have been invited.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-04-14 22:57 EST
Having been beaten to the introductions, Adam introduced only himself after she had spoken - having had his self importance somewhat stolen - and its effects visible on his face for the briefest moments when she had turned to him. The middle rider leader the raizer nudged his mount again and the troupe began to proceed forward - intentionally or not, avoiding the sharing of names but moving on to answer her questions posed more directly - at least from the one who had taken direct interest in her.

The rider far opposite who had been noting Adam had also nudged his own mount forward, his eyes following towards their eventual destination and leaving Adam ignored much to his chagrin. "Indeed, Lady Fiona," the one nearest her began, "We too are heading towards that exact place, bearing gifts for the little lady whose celebration it is. "Rose Court", my lady, if you've heard of it' The Keep of House Arknight and these surrounding Baronies?"

The man's tone was light and casual, and though it sounded as though he might over enjoy the sound of his own voice, nothing he said was superfluous, he simply answered her questions - albeit in a manner that was entirely too friendly. Some people were just natural extroverts, but there was something peculiar about him; his tone and inflection was highborn speech, but some of his words and mannerisms were definitely low, as though he were deliberately choosing to behave overly casual - but to what end" Perhaps it was simply his....style.

"As luck would have it, you'll arrive likely before the Lord himself returns; I came lately from Rose Court before traveling to the monastery to aid in the retrieval of this ....fearsome beast." With that he snorted, and up nodded towards the black and white striped pony.

Fiona turned while she rode and stared at the one who spoke her name. She never liked to be known more than she knew. She barely knew about the Aurcanians, let alone these men. She tried to pacify her paranoia by telling herself that those who knew much about the Council would undoubtedly know her, due to her involvement. They could have easily assumed that she would be on there way to the Rose Court since it was the only thing of significance nearby and they were headed in its direction. Everything it seemed they already knew was nothing outlandish to guess, with enough knowledge. It still didn't sit well with her.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-04-14 23:04 EST
Fiona adjusted herself in her saddle uncomfortably. The comfortable low speech he was talking only made her feel more uneasy. She was so grateful Adam was there to escort her. She would occasionally look over to make sure he was still close if he fell out of her sight.

While looking back, she looked to the striped animal. "It is a beautiful creature". She stuck to her high speech, trying to ask innocent questions while trying to figure out what she was exactly getting herself into. "Yes, I am familiar with House Arknight' What called the Lord away before this joyous occasion?" The smile on the face of the man who had been speaking was audible, and he laughed - more a chuckle really, as she clove to the High Speech.

At the sound, Adam thought to interject, "Remember your mouth, lay priest, she is a High Lady, and you had best regard her as such and with the formality that is due by one who has never met-" he continued on a moment in his chastisement, but only a moment, as the rider guiding the pony had gestured, sending the silent man opposite him to the other flank so that he was now riding opposite Adam, his cowled face turned sideways and looking directly at him - even if his face couldn't be seen.

The man who'd been speaking glanced briefly to the middle man again - and not getting any acknowledgment, glanced back to Adam. "Kaius, why not escort the Lord Tain ahead, until he learns the virtue of silence?"

Kaius, the man opposite Adam reached up and drew his cowl back, revealing his face - smiling a cold smile at Adam. "You heard him," and with that, raised a hand to his mouth, inserting two fingers between his lips and letting out a piercing whistle - directed entirely at Adam's mount, somehow singling it out, as it lurched forward at a gallop with Adam barely hanging onto the saddle horn. Kaius bowed towards Fiona, "My Lady," and gave a nod to the other two before taking off after Adam at a trot.

The man who'd been talking to Fiona resumed, "Apologies, Lady Fiona, these young lordlings," and he tsked, almost the sound of a "tee hee" issuing from within the folds of his cloak, "The Lord of the House needed to away, personal preparations for Nikola's birthday, or so he told me himself." His eyes slid to the quiet man, "He dotes on her, though some would call it spoiling her." His gaze remained fixed on the quiet man, studying him - as if waiting for a reaction.

When he got none, he returned his attention to Fiona and shrugged.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-06-03 23:43 EST
Fiona smiled to Adam as he defended her honor, much like the man she had helped by creating the gateway. Funny, how quickly roles reversed as the man had been the one scolding Adam. Her smile turned to a look of horror as the man called Kaius whistled and sent Adam and his horse galloping away from them, and away from her. She looked back, wide eyed, to the man who had been doing all the talking. As her eyes followed those of the speaker, her gaze fell upon the quiet man as well. She turned back to the man who had spoken; she recognized him from somewhere. It would come to her, but right now, her mind was more concerned with her situation.

Fiona tried to control her concerns - but they were apparent in her eyes.

She had faced Dy Hauc, who had done much more to scare and threaten her. She tried to put up a brave front then, too, but this was different. She at least knew Dy Hauc; she had become quickly aware of what he was capable of. These men were still a mystery and you always fear what is unknown.

She had been mistaken, believing Adam could be there to protect her.

Once more, her fear turned to defense. They may have been going to a party, but she wasn't willing to play these games any longer. A strong breeze began to blow in, causing her deep red hair to blow back from her face, allowing her green eyes to stand out against her pale cream skin. She didn't know how to respond to his casual conversation, so she cut to the chase. She still spoke in her high speech, but her tone became much different than distant formality, it became harsh and cold.

"Why do you send my companion away from me" Were you sent here to intercept me??

Knightfall

Date: 2014-06-03 23:47 EST
The man who had been speaking had given an almost casual, sloppy, salute to Adam as he was escorted away by Kaius. He had turned his attention from the men leaving, to the quiet man, to Fiona, and raised his hands to draw his cloak back. The man would have been known to her, he'd been watching that day in the Grand Pavilion, and was one of those known as the Storm Lords due to the House from which he hailed: the man was Lord Brendryck Stormgaard.

Blond hair fell in a mess about his eyes, and he shook his head, blinked, and focused again on Fiona " his expression that of confusion. "Intercept you? Huh. Hey," he turned on the silent rider, "We're not here to intercept her, are we?"

The response was slow and measured, as the hood shook back and forth to indicate in the negative, but still the man did not speak.

Brend's attention returned to Fiona, "As far as your "companion' up there, that's for his own good. Not everyone is as tolerant with mouthy behavior as..." he prattled on a moment, speaking, but saying nothing of substance; all the while, he had a listener other than Fiona, in the presence of the silent man, whose head continued to occasionally shake as he listened to Brend speak to Fiona. The silent man's posture went rigid, as if straining to listen, whenever Fiona spoke or was questioned, as she was by Brend, "Why'd you think we were ....hindering you or....whatever?"

Fiona felt slightly embarrassed when she saw Lord Stormgaard; she hadn't been expecting a Lord.

Although, she should have.

After all, he was on his way to another Lord's celebration for his daughter. She just hadn't been thinking right recently. She listened to Brend go on; his talk of random things, surely didn't help keep her focus on what it should have been.

She tried to answer his question, still insisting on using her high speech, "Your party did not?" She looked to the silent man who was still hooded, then corrected herself as she turned back to Brend, ?"has not completely identified itself. Then, you dismiss my guardian from me. How should I not interpret these as hostile attempts to interfere in my journey??

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-06-03 23:51 EST
"We have been well met before, my Lady. I will also add," there was a familiarity to the hooded man's voice as he spoke, one that spoke of camaraderie, dry humor - and contrary to his words, was utterly without judgment, "that House Tain is far a field to be exerting it's influence here, is it not' Making demands of information from innocent travelers met upon the road?"

Now it was Brend's turn to be silent, as a slow smile spread across his face listening to his fellow lance Fiona's authority with a technicality; Brend snorted back a laugh, "Subtlety isn't one of your..." he began, but wasn't able to finish.

The previously silent rider finished the sentence ahead of him - "...Isn't one of my strong suits, I know." In speaking with Brend, the man had broken away from the High Speech and fallen into a more casual tone, clearly indicative of their closeness - whereas Brend was just that much more casual with everyone, as he was about to evidence again.

"And calling that guy your "guardian"," Brend began, slightly under his breath, upnodding to indicate the direction that Adam had gone in with Kaius, "Is either a poor joke or a sadder reality."

The silent man cast him a sidelong, admonishing glance, "Brendryck....offer no judgment..."

And Brend fell silent.

Fiona drew in a deep breath when she heard the hooded man speak. It couldn't be him. She listened closely to him to be sure. She was about to jump to her own defense with her usual false bravado when he accused her of over stepping her bounds, but she was interrupted by Brend. She listened in awe as they bickered for a moment. She had to be certain it was truly him. What was the name the others called him' She turned towards the hooded man and asked simply.

"Knightfall?"

As the name left her lips, the mystery man straightened in his saddle - if only slightly, and the air itself seemed more dense, as if it had somehow thickened. Slowly, the hooded head began to turn towards her, angling just enough that the suns light was reflected from arms or armor and to his face - setting his emerald eyes blazing like green fires.

Though the quiet man gave no response, it was obvious the title garnered his attention.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-06-03 23:54 EST
It was Brend who hastily spoke, "....Is a traitors name, and a traitors House - and we've no traitors here, just good, imperial men, right?" Brend looked back and forth between Fiona and the unnamed man with such an animated, exaggerated smile that it was next to impossible not to be amused, though it was an obvious distraction.

Despite Brend's interrupting, the mystery man spoke, "....that name has been in use, in some parts of the Empire, as I understand. One cannot help what others call them," he hesitated a moment before continuing, "Like all names or titles, I'm sure most of what you have heard of it is false. And you know from experience that I will not go out and lay about with my sword until I have collected the heads of those using the name in regard to myself; they hurt no one....and I am left unmolested in my own little portion of the world. It works well for all."

Next to Brend's casual airs, the mystery man - tentatively revealed to be Kristoph, now, was if not outright agitated, tense.

Fiona said hurriedly, "I'm sorry' I meant no offense." She turned away from both of them for a moment to collect herself. She took a deep breath and bit her lip, realizing she dropped into common speech. She looked upwards for a moment, as if trying to ask for strength, before returning her gaze towards them, though her eyes did not wander from Kristoph.

"This was wonderful." She thought, as her mind echoed with sarcasm; here she had been riding alongside the man who she had been sent to Disavow from the Empire the whole time.

They had already sent away the man who would have protected her from their objection of her message. This was his fault since the beginning. He wasn't the only one who was at risk because of his actions. He ordered her to lie to the Council. She hoped she could redeem herself by giving the message, but she was too concerned to give it, now. Instead, she said bitterly, "But it does not work well for all?"

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-06-04 00:02 EST
The bitterness of her tone drew Kristoph's attention, though he wasn't overdramatic in paying it to her, and merely continued on, "How do you mean, my Lady?" His voice was a soft, interrogative murmur, which turned cool as he continued to comment on the Empire, "Is it not better that I allow the Empire to have its way, when we have a disagreement over its designs?"

It hadn't seemed they had been riding long, but in the now near distance one could see the edifice that was Rose Court, it's blended colors and architecture dominating a cloister of buildings that - if they continued around the entire fortress - were by themselves a small town, all in the safe shadow of Rose Court, and its Lord.

Kristoph beckoned Brend closer, and spoke, "I'll remain behind and ride with Fiona, go ahead, find Kaius and the little Lord Tain and make sure all is well with them; then proceed ahead to the Court and let them know we have more guests staying for the celebration, ask them to make up two more rooms - at my request, if you would." Brend merely nodded, his gaze flickering between the two of them just before he gave Kristoph as sloppy and casual a salute as he'd earlier offered Fiona.

"Ayup. I'll take the message, probably just stable ol"bessy once I'm there though. We'll see you on the morrow," and with that Brend nodded, first to Kristoph, then to Fiona, "Evening!"

And with that, Brend was riding away, leaving just the two of them now, their mounts, and the raizor-pony that Kristoph was taking back with them. Kristoph sighed, his voice and features themselves softening slightly as he reached up, and pushed the hood back from his own face, revealing his eyes more fully, along with the midnight black mane that framed his face. "I don't mean to be a discourteous....host....but, if there's any other talk you would have of the Empire, make it now, I'll not tolerate it at my girl's celebration.?

His voice was soft, yet brooked no foolishness; for a variety of reasons, he looked forward to his daughters celebration - and on a regular day, as she would recall from their previous interaction - no matter how brief - that any implied correlation between himself and the Empire galled him; especially galling was when he was seen as a leading figurehead of the empire when in truth, as one could see here....he just wanted out of it.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-06-04 00:05 EST
The tension in the air seemed to lessen around them as she watched with admiration; Fiona let herself forget how the crowd seemed to respect him back when she first met him. She felt most people only respected her because they had to, so even that respect was subjective. She ended her stare of him and looked down at her mare's grey mane.

She couldn't understand.

He didn't seem like a stupid man. Did he know why she was there" If so, why would he still invite her and her plus one to his celebration' Maybe he misconstrued that she meant she wanted to take up the fight on his side. She looked back to him. She could see he had been put in a situation he never asked to be in, just as she had now. She shook her head and finally spoke. "My business is of least importance. For now, I am only here to honor your family."

He watched as she dealt with her inner conflict, his recognition of it coming with the ease of someone used to dealing with inner conflict of their own. The moment she turned away, his expression softened - and he felt it happen, and so turned his face forward again, only watching her in his peripheral vision.

"Lady Fiona," he began softly, just loud enough she might hear, "Lord Brend was at Council," his tone was chiding. He knew. He already knew. "So....I know both what was said and what was left....unsaid." He halfway turned back to her, his face and tone momentarily haunted by visions and memories only he could see, "You haven't seen what I've seen, so I understand why you take the stances you have - for the most part, at least. If you had seen the frontlines though, The Pilgrims...? he broke himself from thinking about that, for now at least.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-06-05 03:08 EST
Kristoph changed course, though only slightly, "I appreciate you holding back on what the Empire asks of you, for my benefit, but....even if Brend had not told me of the proceedings, and what your primary calling here was....I would still know something was amiss," turning fully towards her, his tone as gentle as the smile upon his lips was subtle, "Lady Fiona, you," and there was no mistaking the tone of his voice as he finished - heartbreaking though it might be what he was asking her to admit to - the tone that carried his words now was simple affection, for her perceived "failing", "are a terrible liar." He let his gaze linger on her a moment more before turning back to the dwindling road ahead.

As soon as he mentioned how Lord Stormgaard had been present at the Council hearing, Fiona closed her eyes in embarrassment. She exhaled slowly. Of course he had, and of course he would have reported the news of his disavowal to him. She opened her eyes to only stare forward.

She couldn't look at him now.

How could she"

He knew why she was there and he would still invite her to his own daughter's celebration, welcoming her into his home, meeting his family. Her eyes shot open at his "insult". She couldn't help herself, and let out a short laugh before censoring herself and going silent. Fiona turned towards him and smiled a genuine smile, an admission of her defeat in this instance.

She turned forward again, and responded, "I guess that is why I never made it far in my position, and why I have been reduced to a mere messenger. Although' I guess I couldn't even do that right either, since I never delivered the message.? She still smiled, looking forward, but occasionally glancing over to see his reaction.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-06-05 21:01 EST
Kristoph was not prone to bouts of obvious elation, and watching her go through her performance elicited but a subtle, secretive smile on his part, especially hearing her describe her own profile within the hierarchy. Somehow, even without smiling, the severity of his face changed as they talked, and perhaps that was a smile of a different kind, stemming from his eyes, or the general tension in his face and form.

He was relaxed, as he listened to her, glancing over occasionally, amused by her refusal to look at him after he'd revealed his knowledge of her raison d"etre. His tone didn't change as he continued, and persisted in quiet, chiding, affectionate manner, "....You have until we reach the Court proper, you know; they never said that you had to deliver it to me formally. So," at this he glanced at her, "you can tell me, and your message will be delivered. They knew I would know, you know - if you can follow that."

He rarely smiled, but often smirked, as was now the case as he listened to his own words.

"They meant to you to insult me, I believe, by delivering it in full public, especially given the occasion we would celebrate here. So, tell me. Fulfill your obligation, but rob them of their victory," he had been about to turn away, back to the road, but he hesitated and added before he did, "Unless you think my humility needs must be honed, in that case....I only ask it wait until after my daughter and those she would celebrate with - children and such, locals - have departed. I have....no desire, nor see any reason why they need to be there for it.?

He wasn't stupid, and realized that the Disavowal was more than a mere slap in the face, but he took it stoically; perhaps because for a long time, he hadn't wanted to be a part of their Empire anyways.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-06-06 20:01 EST
Fiona turned and looked at him at "if you can follow that". Her eyes had a look of confusion, but she wore a big open grin, trying hard not to laugh again.

She followed.

She listened to his request and considered her options. If she said it now, they could move on and enjoy the party, if she would still be welcomed, though, why would she be? If she waited until after the event, she could at least ensure she would still be invited.

Now that she had come all this way, she didn't want to go just yet.

"But then, no, she wouldn't make him suffer, waiting for it; she was always one to address things. She nudged her mare to gain a slight advantage over him, pulling her to a stop ahead of him, trying to make him stop. If she was going to do this, she would do it right. If she had nothing else, she would always do her duty to the fullest extent, no matte how much it pained her. She would not issue this decree while riding.

His own mount slowed to a stop, though he controlled it primarily with pressure from his knees and the reins still hung loose in his hands. His head lilted somewhat to the side, bright emerald eyes regarding her expectantly. "My Lady..." he spoke softly, and bowed from the saddle as best he could, awaiting whatever pronouncement she might offer.

Fiona's smile was all but a distant memory as she returned to her professional demeanor. She sat upright and tilted her head upwards as she stared at him directly in the eye. She spoke stoically, "Kristoph Arknight of House Arknight, I, Fiona O"Neill of House Tain, acting on behalf of the Grand Council and Imperial Praetor Damon of House Logos, hereby declare that House Arknight is officially Disavowed.?

Once she said it, she turned away from him and looked down. She felt sick.

She knew what this would mean to his House, his family, his allies.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-06-15 23:04 EST
She nudged her mare, backing her up. The mare did so reluctantly bobbing her head up and down slightly, eventually returning to where she had been constantly positioned next to his horse. Fiona looked at him, consciously and subconsciously placing herself where she did. She should go. She shouldn't even be speaking to him now. She instead spoke with a hint of remorse for her actions. "I would understand if you would like to return my comrade to me and we part ways here" since I have no further business to attend at your House."

He met her eyes as she delivered the sentence she had been sent to serve him, and he remained quiet, though with that same small hint of a smile on his lips; it was only the hint of a smile, nothing more. Before she could begin to urge her horse forward again, he began to slip off of his own and to the ground.

Kristoph moved in front of their mounts, he knelt and began to trace a sigil upon the ground in the dirt and dust. "....you have no business at my House," he sighed as he continued working, "So many problems with that statement....clearly, since I've just been Disavowed, I no longer have a House, in the sense you mean." He glanced at her, turning somewhat over his should and pausing in his work. "But perhaps....that's alright. After what I've seen, how I understand we had been used - the First Sword that is - I think maybe that man and that House have been gone a long time."

As he'd finished that sentence, his voice had become softer as he became more focused on the sigil he'd created; a circle with him at the center, rays of varying length projecting from it into the four cardinal directions, and further bisected between those. There was, however, no magic or flashy spellcraft; Kristoph scooped a handful of dirt into his palm and slowly let it trickle out to the ground as he stood, staring at it, "I am Knightfall, I am the Land; I Knightfall, am the Land.? Though his voice was soft, there was definite power in the words that he spoke, brief though it remained in evidence, obscuring itself once again as the last of the soil fell from his hand and he turned back to remount, turning to face Fiona.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-06-15 23:11 EST
"....besides, we're having chocolate cake," he smiled, clearly something on his mind merited enough warmth to let his true deeply caring nature break though his otherwise cool facade, "My daughter insists....always....chocolate. Besides," he smiled while nudging his mount again with his knees, causing it to start forward - now just a little ahead of hers, "About 7 days ride from here there's a small group of people that are as grateful for things that you haven't said, more grateful in truth - much more, than I am offended by the things the Council -forced- you to say." His smile turned rather wry, "I have no "official House", according to the Empire now, so I cannot very well invite you to one. But....I can invite you to my home, if you wish to join us."

Fiona watched, wondering what exactly he was doing in the dirt before their steeds. She tried to follow along with his words, too. She shook her head and opened her mouth to speak, but she remained silent, watching him do his ritual. She watched stunned as he returned to his horse and go on about something as simple as cake. She blinked and closed her mouth, realizing it had remained open the whole time. She nudged her mare once more to catch up, regaining her place next to him as she said, "Yes, I would love to' get some cake." She turned to look at him and half smirked.

Her semi smirk managed to provoke a soft, terse, chuckle from him, and the rest of their ride - that which wasn't spent in companionable silence - was spent discussing things of little or provincial import only; mutual acquaintances they had both met through the Empire, peculiar traits they'd both noticed and were both quietly amused by; the potential fates of the Houses which had en masse left the coasts seeking new worlds in the Near East and the Ancient West; contention among the practicing Mages and High Mages about the lack of formal institutions for arcane education; all those things and more they talked about as they rode, surprisingly flowing from one topic to another smoothly even when those two topics were connected by only the barest of tangents.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-06-15 23:15 EST
The feeling between the two by the time they had ridden into Rose Court - Kristoph again riding with his hood up and presenting papers which were directly followed whenever he was impeded - the two shared a companionable affection and ease with one another, surprising for the relative short time they'd spent together. They were still speaking softly when they arrived to stable their horses. As they had arrived, Brend was walking from the stables, a non plussed and tired look on his face,

"Have fun w"that..." casually flipping a hand over his shoulder as he met them and kept walking past even as they headed to the stable proper, he called back one final word of warning, "Even the stable hands were driven away, you'll have to go in yours..." the rest of his comment was lost in the distance now between them, but nonetheless they proceeded within.

Sensing nothing out of place, Kristoph indicated to Fiona where she might put her mare while he placed his own in the next stall. As they went through the preparation stages of sheltering their steeds for the evening, a commotion was raised near the back of the stable. A horse, familiar to both of them from earlier, reared and lashed out with its forelocks at someone on the ground below, obscured by partially by the fence that separated each stall.

Slipping away from his horse, Kristoph headed towards the disturbance - and saw the end of a riding crop rise up over the wall and lash down upon the poor trapped beast. Seeing that, his pace quickened and just as the crop raised again, the stall door behind its wielder opened and Kristoph hand snaked out like lightning to seize Adam by the wrist, savagely twisting the crop from his hand despite a weak protestation look of shock on his face.

Before he could give any further comment, Kristoph brought the crop down once, twice, three times in rapid succession against Adam's buttocks and the back of his thighs - each stroke resulting in a feminine high pitched shriek. The riding crop dropped to the ground, and Kristoph spoke. "Hurts, doesn't it??

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-06-15 23:31 EST
Though Kristoph's volume was not outlandishly loud, his tone brooked no argument, and his stare into Adam's eyes even less, "I saw you use it liberally on the ride here, until Brend sent you out of my sight. Don't let me see you use it again." His tone was soft but dangerous as he turned away and headed back to his own stall, that of the raizor, and Fiona as well.

Adam spoke up as he turned, "You know what this means!"," he all but shrieked, cut off short.

"Yes. It means that tonight, you will sit very gingerly. Do you know what it means if you say another word before I leave these stables?" Kristoph answered coldly, stopping him in his tracks.

That same quiet, dangerous voice.

Adam didn't answer, and Kristoph spoke no more, turning again and walking to Fiona, "My lady, I'll see you again this evening," he smiled, suddenly shifting from his attitude towards Adam, "Someone will be here in a moment to show you to your rooms; I look forward to spending more time....talking to you."

Again, he smiled, hesitated as if about to say more, and walked out.

~~~

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." - Lao Tzu

~~~

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-13 22:16 EST
Part VI: Last Supper

~~~

For He so loved the world that he gave his one and only.... ? John 3:16

~~~

Rose Court.

Arknight Baronies, Former.

Alluvius.

Although it was a celebration, those who were accustomed to the festivities involving noble class could have been put off by the decor of of the Court and its surroundings; most of the trappings being used were in fact the normal, yet ceremonial, decorations that would usually adorn the environ during the visit of other Lords or Ladies, with one exception. The exception being that every pennant for every House and Tribe hung from the inner walls, not just the one which would be visiting; each of the pennants were colored in dazzlingly bright shades, reds, blues, greens, yellow, purples, all trimmed in gold tassels and large as flags, almost completely obscuring the walls themselves.

Even with that little obvious decor on the outside, the natural colors of the stonework, combined with the vibrant green vines which wound their way amidst the fine lattice work which clung to the walls, lattice work the pennants were also fixed to, everything within the open areas of the Court seemed to possess an unnaturally obvious life force; a sense of positivity which colored the moods of all who stood within it. Except perhaps, for Adam, whose mood hadn't been the best since arriving; it had simmered down past - it seemed - a quiet rage, by the time he'd left the stables, and stalked off on his own.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-13 22:18 EST
The interior of the main keep was equally colorful, flowers in every location that could have otherwise been empty, a variety of roses each swimming in small seas of something similar to Baby's Breath, but with more numerous, purple blossoms. Those with an eye for patterns would have noticed an obvious one among the flowers: sevens. Seven roses to a vase, or wreath, being the most notable; seven candle candelabras and escalaras upon the walls - obviously recently fashioned. Guest facilities were adjacent the main areas; Great hall, kitchen and pantry, a small library and sitting room. Adjacent those common areas again, on the opposite side, were the living quarters of the family proper - almost identical to those on the guest side, save for personal touches added by those who lived in them, rather than used them as temporary sleeping.

The room Fiona had been shown to was actually considerably larger than her own quarters where she lived, but then again this place wasn't governed by bureaucratic necessity when it had been constructed - and it was also considerably older, though not less comfortable. A low fire burned in a small hearth, as did several unflickering tapers in sconces - casting an unusually effective light throughout the chamber. It was clear the hearth did not heat the room, and was more ornamental; the floor and walls themselves seemed to possess their own warmth, and the fire wouldn't have been big enough to serve the room anyway. The room also held a large bed, wardrobe, vanity, and privy and bathing chamber sequestered to one corner, and although the bath was empty it appeared plumbed ? and if not a pitcher of water with a light mist of steam rising from it stood upon a pillar next to a wash basin style sink.

She wanted to take some time to ready herself. She was a proper guest and she did not want to embarrass her host by attending the festivities in her mangled appearance. Her long navy blue gown was wrinkled from the extended horse rides to deliver the message to the host that his house was officially disavowal. Even her hair was dirty from collapsing to the ground after using all of her energy to open a gateway to aide a stranger in his quest.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-13 22:21 EST
Fiona still felt drained, but she was well enough to be able to carry on as though she did not feel the constant dull of general fatigue. It was nothing more than a good night's sleep wouldn't cure, but she wouldn't be able to get that for awhile still. The bed in the room looked so soft and inviting, even if she wouldn't have been in her currently tired state. She looked around the room in awe.

All she could do for the first few moments was to stare at everything, shaking her head. She had no idea why she would be given this room. She would have been happy with a simple washroom to clean up a bit. She reached out to the bed, but stopped short of just touching it. She did not want to disturb anything.

She then looked to the wardrobe. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a perfect gown to fit her inside?

She glanced over to the mirror on the vanity, her haggard look was painfully more obvious, but she refused to touch any more than she had to. It was all a matter of principle to her. She sighed, and then went to the wash basin to clean up.

She removed her dress, draping over one side of the tub, and leaving on her white full slip while she got ready. She rushed through cleaning her hair first. She had a lot to do and would refuse to be late even more than she would refuse to snoop through someone else's things. She dried her long deep red hair with one of the towels provided, restoring it to it healthy shine. She finger curled her hair, giving it light waves that cascaded down her back. She wiped off her face, arms, and legs then set in on fixing her dress.

Using the damp towel from her hair, she began to wipe the dress, removing the dirt and pressing hard against it to smooth out any wrinkles. It took a little time, but eventually she was satisfied with the dress's appearance, as well as her own. Even the gold trim once again shone against the dark navy blue. She threw the dress on, smoothing it once more over her with her hands. She had a couple of extra minutes and gave her hair a few fresh finger curls. She gave herself one more look in the vanity then headed to the door to move to the festivities.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-16 20:17 EST
Before Fiona could reach the door, however, there were three quick knocks and it opened; one of the men who had ridden with them earlier - Brend - poked his head inside. His eyes darted to the closed wardrobe, then to her, and he eyed her up and down, before sighing. In his own mind, in the matter of a moment, he considered the futility of trying to change anything, ever. He muttered quickly and quietly to himself, about refusing to accept something as impossible, despite being thwarted. He glanced next to Fiona, where stood an entire wardrobe full of her own dresses. While it was true they weren't hers yet, they were technically hers " to his chronologically deluded senses. His eyes rolled in slight mockery - either of her, or of himself. A slight grin - which would have been almost goofy if it weren't for the intelligence that lurked behind his affable, friendly blue eyes - split his face. He up nodded towards her, "S"up?"

He paused a moment, taking the rest of the room into account. "What, not nice enough for ya" You almost ready or what? Should I step back outside?" In truth, he hadn't truly entered. His head floated just past the door, the rest of him hidden behind the heavy oak, and it appeared to almost bob there, disembodied. "There's a bunch of us eating and whatnot, in the main hall. It's nothing formal or anything, Niki's shy and don't like too much attention." As usual, his vulgar common was particularly grating.

Fiona was stunned a moment when the man poked his head in without her granting him permission to enter. True enough, he didn't exactly enter. It was more the principle of the thing" Her and her principles. If she really had any principles, she wouldn't be here now. She attempted to answer his questions after he spoke, but by the time he finished speaking, he had her so bewildered by his flightiness, she barely remembered what she was saying. "Ok, thank you. " I was on my way because" Yes, I'm ready?" She paused wondering why he would ask.

Without doubt, she didn't look ready, if he was asking. Fiona interjected with an anxious concern in her voice, "Why' Do I look alright?" She blinked hard after hearing the words come out of her mouth. When did she revert to the mentality a young maiden trying to dress to impress? She could only blame him; his casual demeanor was throwing her off from her normal standards of decorum. But she didn't blame him. Instead, she looked to him for his answer.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-17 01:32 EST
Brend's demeanor changed not at all, and from what he'd exemplified so far, that she would even look for a serious, non-cryptic answer from him, should have been preposterous. He answered her question with his usual aplomb. "Huh?" He glanced down the hallway, sighed and turned back to her again, "Oh, yeah, great. You're fine. We ain't got the same taste anyways." His last words trailed off into an almost mutter.

Fiona glared at him slightly when he looked away. If he didn't care, why did he bring it up" His "great' and "fine" remarks got the same blank glare, but it was his last statement that got her heated. She was mortified and it was apparent in her scathing tone. "Who do you?" Why would you?"" She found herself trailing off too. She sighed, trying to get her head about her, then said, "Ok, let's go." She opened the door and would follow him.

He cast her a non-committal glance as they proceeded down one corridor and into a more open hallway, turning one way, then another, proceeding towards the sound of a gathering; people talking, cutlery on plates, and the faint sound of music - though the tunes were a slight cacophony, as if more than one tune were being played at a time. Coupled with the sounds were the smell of slow roasted meats, fresh baking, and a slight scene of candle wax and wood smoke.

He muttered again as he glanced away, "What, surprised someone noticed you were a girl under all the bureaucratic administrative crap" Me too." His voice rose as he cleared his throat, changing to affable small talk, "The birthday girl has some friends in there she's playing with for the most part, so you don't have to worry about any formality or whatever with her. There's not a lot of us from the First Sword that actually have kids, so when they make friends, they're usually close and stuff.?

Annoyingly, he kept a few paces ahead of her, and whenever she would attempt to catch up....it always seemed he walked just a little faster, though it was impossible to tell just by watching him - he may as well have been on a leisurely stroll.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-17 08:22 EST
After each statement, Fiona could feel herself growing tenser. She wasn't a "girl"; she was a Lady. All that "bureaucratic administrative crap" was her life, and she was proud of it. She took a long, deep breath and let it out harshly, trying to release her frustrations before going to the gathering. After trying to rush through getting herself cleaned up, Brend's additions to her mental preparations left her anything but pleasant and gracious. Despite his opinions, she would try her hardest to hold to her normal "formality or whatever".

Fiona took a breath, ignoring his first statement. She refused to let his words, whatever his intentions were behind them, get to her. She said softly, "I would not want to interrupt her from her friends." She was faced with the realization that she hadn't even brought a gift. True, she didn't even know there was a party about to happen. Instead of a gift, she had brought the girl's father, and her now host, devastating news. She didn't even want to see her if she could avoid it, let alone speak to her. She didn't feel like she deserved to be in her presence. Fiona shook her head to herself, wondering why she came.

Several steps ahead of Fiona, and rounding a corner to the entrance of the Great Hall, Brend rolled his eyes. A dull clamor from within rolled out into the hallway, to join the aromas that had preceded it; it was mostly the sound of low male voices, cutlery, with a dull underpinning that was the quiescent nattering of children - sounding off with the occasional higher pitched, excited shriek. He waited for her to catch up now, standing in one of the arched entrances to the main hall, perhaps Timing his commentary so that the view within the dining area itself reinforced his message, "Lady, you ain't in the Empire anymore, remember" That's basically what your words to him said earlier. You just didn't know how true it was, or the fact that it bein" true don't necessarily make it a bad thing..."

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-18 21:38 EST
After descending two stairs, the archway opened into a large, rectangular area that was at least currently arranged for dining - though a feudal lord might well set up a Seat at one end of it to receive petitions from the serfs under him. As it was now, there was one head table which sat perpendicular to four others, each of the five populated by a wide array of people, if one judged by appearances. The level of civilization varied wildly, with some people wearing fine silks and samite, others wearing skins and furs; some were made up with kohl and other cosmetics, while others bore piercing made of bone in their nose or ears. And yet despite their obvious differences, a sense of camaraderie suffused the scene.

The head table seated Kristoph and Atticus, two seats between them vacant, as well as one on Kristoph's other side, the table in front of which was piled somewhat haphazardly with gifts - some fancy, but most humble. Some clothing, sable mitts for the cooler weather, a journal to write in, two other illuminated texts, two dolls - fashioned as differently as those in attendance, and other miscellany.

The child to whom it belonged, however, was instead at the far end of the room playing with three other children, a boy and two girls, and used only a rope for their toy. As the children skipped, the person leaping would occasionally be struck atop the head as the rope came around, provoking an amused shriek and prompting the children to change roles. Near them an overly large wolf wrestled with a large Hound the color of platinum, in an aggressive but merely sparring frolic, largely ignored by the patrons at the tables.

For not being "the Empire" anymore, it was certainly curious that many - many more than had been seen together in one place since the Order's formation - of the men were soldiers of the First Sword, and officers at that. Kristoph himself of course, and Kaius; the Storm Lord cousins, Atticus D?Arcstorm, Virgil Daystrom, and of course Brendryck Stormgaard. Even Kitarlin of the Fenns, and Slade of House Phoenix - the former supposedly in exile, and the latter defected across eastern ocean with House Silvermane & DiCardi; Jonas, too, of House Youngblood was present, and seated at the head table on the other side of Atticus. Though he was a potent mage, and usually good at least appearing menacing, the chagrin on his face as he spoke across Atticus to Kristoph was clearly an indication that he had nothing to do with his family's actions during the Council.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-18 21:57 EST
Brendryck was right; they were not in the Empire anymore. Fiona looked over the diversity of those seated at the tables. She was used to conflicts and disagreements between differing sides and peoples, but these people seemed happy and " united. United under him, it seemed. She remembered back to how the people followed his lead at the church when she first met him. These were probably the same people, people who loved and respected him not because they had to, but because he had earned their admiration.

She was not used to this style of leadership at all, not in the Empire. There were so many rules and politics to uphold to. Houses and Swords each had their own rankings. She knew all the little nuances of ethics and etiquette between each faction, but this was a whole new world to her. She barely listened to Brend; she was too preoccupied. Her attention went to all those seated, including the man she knew to be in exile. She knew she was supposed to report something like that right away when she returned to her office for the Empire. She knew she wasn't really supposed to be there at all, now that her message was delivered. She knew shouldn't even be in Kristoph's company since he, too, had been dismissed from the Empire.

There were a lot of things she knew, and it seemed like her eyes were only now opening.

She scanned the room for his daughter. It did not take her long to find her playing in the corner with her friends. Her smile grew wider as she watched them play, completely ignoring Brend and the others now. She quickly realized her error and tried to include herself in to the conversation once more. She said, thrown off guard for a different reason than his antics this time, "What is a bad thing?"

"Not being in the Empire?" His response was a question, only because to him it seemed obvious. Not being in the Empire....was a good thing. He began to move away, towards the head table, and called to her over his shoulder as he did so, "Come on.?

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-18 22:28 EST
At first it was hard to tell where Brend's final destination would be, since he frequently flashed a grin at some random speaker, or waved - or in one instance reached between two men who were talking, stealing a leg of chicken from one mans plate as he passed - ignoring the furrowed brow and protest, responding over his shoulder to the man with a simple, "Yoink!"

Gradually however, he approached the main table and up nodded their host, shooting Kristoph a grin and greeting even as he slipped behind the table, angling for the seat adjacent Atticus as he slapped his fellow Storm Lord on the back with a grin. Kristoph however returned the informal greeting with a grin of his own - the kind of grin that spoke of secret knowledge....or outright exaggerated bull, shared between two lifelong friends.

"Hey, Brend," Kristoph nodded as he spoke, having begun rising to his feet even as Brend was several feet away - though not for the purpose of greeting his friend, but more in formal greeting of Fiona, who followed behind him.

Though it was formal in its technical performance for him to rise to greet her, as one would a dignitary, none of the others there paid her mind as such; Brend would have deserved as much upon arrival as Fiona would have, determined by their social stature, but he had not been received like that either.

It was only for her, from him.

The smile on his face was both soft and sincere, though. "Would you join us?" he asked, glancing down the table and up, finding only the seat just beside him empty at the moment as he asked.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-18 23:36 EST
Kristoph's eyes narrowed momentarily on Brend, whose was supposed to be sitting there....but had chosen to obey the decorum shared by the rest of the soldiery; which is to say, he sat wherever he wanted for this meal. Kristoph continued, "You had a long enough journey here," his brilliant green eyes refracted the firelight as he looked her over, and the corners of his lips twitched, as if his smile would broaden if only it could win the battle with his wild array of self control, "You've had time to refresh yourself from the road it seems, but not to eat I'm sure. Or simply....sit, and relax." His head tilted slightly, towards his side of the table and the empty seat, "The burdens of yesterday are no longer yours to bear," his tone conveyed that there was something to that sentence they shared knowledge of that was not yet in the general population; namely that of the House's Disavowal.

"Sit with friends." Brend piped in quickly, over his shoulder, "Just no more tasteless gifts, please."

Kristoph responded quickly, "Enough, there's no reason for a girl not be trained in the use of a blade." Brend looked away, not bothering to continue a debate which he had already lost to Kristoph.

Fiona was about to respond to Brend in order to try to clear up whatever semblance of a conversation they were having, but she silenced herself when he started to lead her towards Kristoph. She was already embarrassing herself in front of Brend; she refused to do anything similar in front of her host. Still smiling as she came up to him, she repeated her answer from when he asked her to come to the event, "Yes, I would love to."

She looked down for a moment. She was so grateful that the rest of the guests did not make some ordeal of her being there, though she knew a lot of them, if not most of them, were above her in standings.

She didn't think much into Kristoph's greeting simply because he was the host; he had to greet everyone. She looked back up, realizing that the closest available seat was right next to him. She hesitated, then said, "This seat should be reserved for your daughter, or one of your men at the least." She would have said the place should belong to his wife, but she did not want to bring up what would be a sore topic, if the information she heard was true that his wife was deceased. "I can find a seat elsewhere. I am simply honored to be able to join you on this special day."

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-18 23:41 EST
Kristoph sighed, pushed his seat back from the table slightly, and sat with one foot resting on the floor, as the other coming up to brace itself lightly against the edge of the tabletop. His hands moved to lace across his stomach; his eyes had looked out over the assembled guests as he sat down, and now drifted back to now look up at her. "Yes," he spoke softly, a slight smile creasing his lips for a moment, "Perhaps you're right, and yet....neither is moved to sit with me."

He let that obvious fact hang in the air a moment, its evidence all around them, most especially the vacant seat awaiting an occupant. "It must be the topics of conversation I choose; Brend keeps telling me that religion and politics are poor choices for polite conversation. Plus, with my current status of Disavowal within the Empire, I can understand if you'd not want to be seen associating with me." He cleared his throat as if he were about to say more, but something in his eyes spoke of reconsideration. "I'm sorry, there are many here from distant reaches of the Empire, much more so than I. You're probably curious on an official level, or something. I won't....detain you; forgive me if I seemed to pressure you." He nodded, curtly, and his eyes lingered a moment too long for his own comfort before he quickly looked away to the crowd again, his expression stoic, yet soft.

Fiona smiled as he sat. He was right, in many ways, though not about her and what she deemed fit conversation. She looked around to each of the men around them as she sat next to him. It was her own way of showing she was not some timid woman who could not keep up in this meeting of mostly men.

She pulled her seat up and settled herself as she said to no one in particular, "Religion and politics are only sore subjects when the debaters are not confident in their causes. Those who are truly devout are usually honored to talk about the things that make them passionate. They welcome questions and ask their own. They are rarely "pressured" or break under the strain of a knowledgeable discussion." She smiled at her last statement, looking down at the table briefly before turning to look at him to her side with a half teasing smile.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-19 01:24 EST
Kristoph didn't immediately look at her as she sat. But he smiled just the same before he began to speak in answer, "Isn't that part of the problem, though' When confidence becomes blind conviction to ones beliefs, where is the line drawn?"

His words had been quiet, and finally he turned to her again, and for a moment it appeared as though his thoughts were so polarized, he was so engaged in the topic of conversation that he seemed to not look through her - but to be perceiving almost a different way of being, perhaps a different plane of existence....before his thoughts grounded themselves and his eyes met hers. "Shouldn't it be a sore spot' For someone" Doesn't it usually result in the loser of any debate like that being....at the very least, ostracized?" His volume had slowly risen as he'd spoken. He hadn't been loud, yet. But if he continued, he would be. Instead, he stopped himself and cleared his throat with a somewhat embarrassed grin. "We've deviated slightly from our original topic, though." His eyes left her again, and scanned the room once more, seeking out his daughter. For the most part, his attention was split between those two women alone, for now.

Before he turned back to Fiona again, he could hear Nikola and Brendryck exchanging the barbs as only, Kristoph thought, children could. His daughter's voice rose up, not quite as far away as it had been, "No! You!" she exclaimed, followed by gales of seemingly uncontrolled giggling as her uncle Brend made googly eyes at her and replied in kind, "Noooo, You!!" Kristoph snorted, and turned his full attention back to Fiona, self consciously touching his face from snorting in reaction to his daughter and her uncles antics.

She watched his eyes move to his daughter. Hers followed as she watched the girl and Brend for a moment. She answered, still watching, "I believe that even if a man's beliefs are not shared by the majority, that he would not be judged based on those beliefs, but by his own actions." Her smile faded from her lips as she spoke more seriously, but the light in her eyes remained. "Every action or inaction, even a single moment, has the potential to earn trust in someone's eyes. Faith begins with trust." She thought of her own trust in The Empire.

Was she blindly devoted" Surely not, she assured herself. If she was, she would never be seated here. She believed in The Empire because of all the good she had seen come from it since she had become a part of it.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-19 01:35 EST
"So you believe people shouldn't be persecuted for their beliefs....at least if those beliefs aren't harming others, then?" His brow had furrowed slightly at her response, but he didn't have time to think on it long.

Before Kristoph had a chance to elaborate, a small figure ambushed him, having bobbed and weaved in and around furniture as only a small child can. "Big hugs, daddy!" Nikola's somewhere coherent greeting only barely announcing her as she was suddenly flung onto her father's chest, Kristoph's eyes widening as his chair tilted precariously backwards for a moment before he managed to lean forward, scooping his arms around her and leaning ahead to prevent toppling completely. For someone so normally stoic, one might be inclined to think he would have felt the intrusion was grating.

But he clearly didn't.

Instead, his soft reply to her greeting was only barely audible to Fiona, sitting so close at hand. "Big hugs," as his arms circled around his daughter and his eyes closed, enjoying the surprise of the always loving embrace; for that one moment, every one of his features took on a cast that was completely vulnerable, completely....human.

Not solider, or tactician, or nobleman, or knight; just a father, who deeply loved his only daughter.

"Thank you for the party, daddy." Nikola had her small palms flat against his chest and had pushed away, but now leaned in to kiss his forehead, "And the presents."

Just the thought of her gifts made her face completely light up with a smile that was innocent yet impish at the same time.

"Nikola," Kristoph murmured, smiling at her even as he slid her off his lap - holding her in the air a moment while she curled her legs up underneath her for a moment, being stubborn - before lowering her to the ground. "We have guests, and it's your party, aren't you going to introduce yourself?" His eyebrows rose just slightly as he asked the question, glancing from his daughter to Fiona and back again, mostly in curiosity of Nikola's response. "This is the Lady Fiona of..."

He hadn't managed to get further before his eyes widened in incredulity as his daughter quickly leveraged herself into Fiona's lap, wiggling in, yet leaning forward to drag presents across the table towards them.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-19 15:15 EST
Nikola turned over her shoulder, looking Fiona in the eye, "Hi. I'm Nikola, it's my party, did you see my presents" I got, clothes..." most cloth like items were at this point grabbed....and discarded, pushed away across the table without interest, "And books, did you see my dragon book?" In quick succession, a book that had some sort of serpent on the cover was pulled into both of their laps, and quickly opened - it's 3D nature revealed as cardboard popups suddenly sprung across the page, representing all manner of mystical, magical beasts.

"Nikola!" Kristoph hissed, he didn't look angry, but instead completely shocked. "You don't even know her!" Nikola, though, didn't appear to take heed. And continued to natter on, pointing out things in her new book, and explaining what they were - as though she were an expert.

Fiona's eyes widened at the surprise interruption. She smiled at the perfectly timed break in conversation. She looked down at the table again when she heard his secret statement to Nikola. She couldn't help but glance up briefly, seeing the change in his demeanor. It was enough of a distraction for the little girl to take her position on her lap. Her mouth dropped open slightly as the girl settled in, and when Nikola turned to face Fiona, her gaping jaw turned into a bright open mouthed grin.

When Nikola began speaking, Fiona's eyes lit up much like the girl's upon seeing her gifts. Fiona's attention jumped back to Kristoph momentarily as he tried to admonish the girl. She stared at him and gasped lightly with a smile. While Nikola was engaged in telling about her items, Fiona playfully smacked the side of Kristoph's arm lightly, and then put a finger to her lips to silence him with a quiet shushing sound. She propped Nikola closer against her, and wrapped her arms around her to get to the various presents to point out different features. While Nikola continued to ramble on excitedly, Fiona tilted her head up to face Kristoph, giving him an equally defiant and excited smile.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-21 01:15 EST
Kristoph sighed, an easy, gentle smile on his face as he watched his daughter charm the woman who had been sent to discharge his entire family from service to the Empire, and more sinister things as well, if he was to believe the stories that Virgil, Lord Daystrom, told having reappeared from hiding for the celebration of his niece - adopted at least, if not by blood.

It was true that Nikola's brave nature was completely endearing, but he didn't know what to make of her being perched where she was, certainly pleasure at seeing how well Fiona had reacted to her, but also a twinge of jealousy, it being Nikola's birthday and he being her father, after all. Silent and thoughtful he sat with a veiled, if somewhat bemused expression on his face. He allowed her to cycle through the majority of her gifts, including a colorful tale told of her new horse; a tale she told while only stopping to gasp for breaths in her excitement.

As they sat, a server happened by to refill their drinks, and Kristoph touched the man's arm, tugging him down to murmur something, of which only a single word was audible beyond the two of them. "Cake." Kristoph cleared his throat, and leaned forward slightly to gain Brend's attention, while focusing his eyes on a pouch at Brend's hip. "You still play?" he asked. Nikola, however, remained oblivious as she continued to natter, now pulling some books out into their combined laps a second time.

"Of course, why?" Brend's glib reply, "That time of the party?"

Kristoph's eyes took on a half lidded, even more bemused look as they passed between Brend and Fiona. "Yeah, they're bringing it out now." Kristoph turned back to Fiona, "Overwhelmed yet?" His smile was genuine, if someone challenging in some way - a way that spoke of the sometimes possessive bond between parent and child.

As Kristoph had turned back to her, Brend had reached into a shallow satchel at his hip and proceeded to draw out an instrument. In almost comedic fashion the instrument emerged, clearly too large to have been accommodated by the dimensions of the satchel. It was almost 4 feet long, and resembled a cross between a guitar and a harp; guitars in basic build, though with two necks, and a harp by virtue of the sheer number and arrangement of strings. To anyone who would or could catch Brend's eye as he tuned his instrument, he winked.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-21 01:26 EST
Fiona continued to give the majority of her attention to the girl, trying desperately to follow along to every intimate detail she provided about her gifts and how she felt about each. Kristoph's question was enough to pull her attention. She glanced to him briefly, smiling as she answered playfully, "Never." She continued listening to Nikola, though Brend's instrument caught her eye as he pulled it from his bag. She stared at him blankly while he tuned the instrument.

Kristoph smiled again at her answer, and caught her glance towards Brend with a wry smile. As did his daughter, as she reached up and with her small hand gently cupped Fiona's chin, stating, "No, look!" before flipping open another book, one she'd already shown Fiona twice, and all but forced her to look again. Her reverie was broken as her fathers voice began to sing, his voice both deep and soft.

"Happy birthday to you..." As he began, so too did the sound of Brend's instrument - both he and Kristoph having seen one of the cooks emerge with a large rectangular cake covered in chocolate and vanilla whorls of frosting - as well as the candles indicating her age.

Nikola stopped speaking, turning first to her father at his voice, then to Brend....then finally noticing the cake; she had been transfixed, somewhere between the icing and the tiny fires dancing on its surface in the form of candles. A slow, smirking smile that spoke of mischief crept over her face as she leaned back, almost shy of the cake, against Fiona, and the as the cake drew closer, and more people joined in, her hands moved to cover her cheshire smile - though it could be seen anyways, as it peeked out from behind her eyes.

Fiona couldn't help but laugh as Nikola commandeered her attention. Her smile faded into a surprised look as she turned to the man beside her as he began serenading the girl with support from Brend's musical accompaniment. She shook her head slightly for a moment, stunned he would do something as relaxed as sing before all of them.

She was not used to this type of informal event. She was not used to informal anything, really. She smiled softly as she joined in the song, unconsciously giving the girl a light, loving squeeze in her arms. More voices began to take up the song as the presence of the cake became more obvious.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-21 01:31 EST
Kristoph reached out towards the two of them as the cake approached, and still singing offered his open palms to Nikola, who raised her arms in return, seeking to be taken - though whether to go to her father or to get closer to the cake was still quite ambiguous. Kristoph murmured as he took her into his arms, pulling her away from Fiona and onto his own lap, "Ready to blow out some candles?" He'd stopped singing for a moment to ask that, confident she wouldn't notice.

She did notice though, enough to add as an answer to his query, "Yeah, but Fiona too!" which elicited a snort and a grin from Kristoph.

"Yes, if she wants to." He shook his head, shooting Fiona look of embarrassment that tinged his cheeks a dusky red. The candles were widely spaced, and Nikola took a deep breath as the cake was sat down before them.

"Well, what ya waitin' for, kid?" came a remark from the assembled guests, the voice of which one and all knew belonged to Brend.

That only elicited a slightly harsher reaction from Virgil.

"Hey, why don't you shut up and let her do it on her own time?" was Virgil said quietly with that friendly, yet dangerous smile of his, the same one Brend ignored. His tone quickly shifted to support when he spoke to Nikola, "Whenever you're ready, sweetheart."

All the while Nikola sat peering at the cake as it was placed before them, peering across its wide breadth, with a worried look, before suddenly turning to Fiona. "I can't reach!" A look of worry turned to slight panic, "Fiona, help!" Her look was simultaneously panic, and a pout of dismay.

The trouble of one who has yet to discover what trouble is.

Fiona smiled brightly at Nikola's request. She stared at the cake for a moment, quickly analyzing the candles, trying to figure out exactly how to blow each enough to blow them out in one breath with the girl. She said sweetly, placing a hand lightly on the girl's back. "Ok darling, take a deep breath with me and blow slowly.?

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-21 01:33 EST
Fiona caught a quick deep breath herself before continuing, "One, two' three." Fiona waited until the girl began to blow and centered her own breath over the top of the cake, focusing on the candles. The air slowly began to evenly distribute to each flame in a waved domino-like motion starting with the front and center; it cascaded back smoothly and each flame was gradually extinguished without so much as a flicker. Little puffs of smoke billowed up from the wax stems into little curled ringlets before wafting away in the resounding draft.

As the candles extinguished, Nikola's eyes widened with anticipation....of now eating the cake; it was an expression that was lost perhaps on some of those who cheered and whooped as the candles went out to officially mark the day of celebration, but it was not lost to her father. Those among the gathering who wished to partake were the first to line up to the head table, or that was at least the common occurrence. Among them now, though, was Adam Briggs of House Tain. Though Kristoph's smile became tight, that was the only break in civility and he nodded a greeting to the man. What very few perceived, was the way Brend's back became rigid the moment Adam approached, though Brend's back was turned to the man and could not have seen him.

Adam's hands were clasped in front of him and unfolded to gesture demurely towards a sheathed blade among the gifts upon the table, "And will the little Lady be cutting the cake for us herself?" To any that had known him, in the depths of his eyes it might have been possible to perceive a glimmer of the sometimes dangerous mania that could overwhelm him.

Kristoph's smile remained tight, and looking to his daughter he caught Fiona's profile, and spoke to Adam without looking at him, "Sir, do you fashion a game out of testing the Laws of Hospitality with your words?" His hands had dropped to Nikola's waist, as though he might move her soon.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-21 01:35 EST
Fiona had been preparing to volunteer to help cut the cake, or at least help pass out slices, by the time Adam approached. She thought it odd that she hadn't even considered where he had been all this time. She had been too preoccupied on the event. He had met up with her before she began her trek here and she was thankful to have the guardian that she trusted from her youth.

But his question gave her pause.

Certainly he would know that the girl would just want to get a piece of cake as quickly as possible to enjoy the best part of her party. She wouldn't want to waste time by serving everyone, and she shouldn't have to during her own party. Fiona knew her to be young. The men had sounded like they had debated whether a blade would make a good girl to a young girl before Fiona came into the hall. Fiona saw no harm in allowing the girl to use a blade, as long as she had been taught how to handle it safely, but she did not think that was exactly the factor right now.

She had considered answering Adam, since he was her guest and her responsibility in a way, but had thought better of it. He had addressed Kristoph in his question, at his home, at his party. Out of respect to Kristoph, she had let him answer. As he answered with his own question, she noticed his body language to move the girl. She thought he would have wanted to cut the first piece for his daughter.

Fiona leaned towards him to say soothingly, "I will take her, if you allow me." She opened her arms to allow him to move the girl into her lap if he so chose.

Nikola's eyes only wavered from her cake for a moment as her father deftly lifted her and passed her into Fiona's capable hands.

Kristoph, after having passed his daughter off, leaned forward and took one of Nikola's gifts into his hands - a sheathed dagger, embossed with Imperial sigils, also acid etched into the blade; he edged the blade free, just enough to glance its mirror like finish while he slowly turned it in his hands before he returned his gaze to Adam. "Pick a different time to gloat, boy. As far as I know, I've had no grievance with you or any of yours, before you rode in here. Enjoy the festivities, and leave with more grace than you arrived."

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-21 01:46 EST
Kristoph had spoken softly, and though he'd perhaps chosen the wrong words for Adam's personality, his tone had been conciliatory.

Adam's response was, at first, a stone faced stare into Kristoph's eyes; slowly, however, his lip curled into what could have passed for either smile or smirk, depending on the opinion of the observer. He cleared his throat, and began to speak as a hand crept into a waist pocket, "You misunderstand me, Sir. As is the tradition, I bring a gift." The hand slipping towards his pocket emerged with a small, rectangular object wrapped in a single red ribbon. "I do appreciate a good blade, and did not seek to make jest earlier," Adam's graces had slipped towards the High Speech, "In keeping with that notion, a gift of a simple whetstone; simple yet practical, one's blade can never be too sharp."

Kristoph's expression bordered on confusion, as Adam spoke and very formally placed the gift upon the table next to the others. Before he could respond, the attention of most of the room was stolen by a slow rumble of thunder, long and loud, and sudden enough that when Kristoph's reactive glance upward upon hearing the sound resolved and he searched again for the man, he was only greeted by his back as Adam walked away almost on the other side of the room. The thunder sounded again, and Nikola froze in place, not scared, but perhaps anxious, as she looked towards windows to perhaps catch a glimpse of lightning. Everyone else had resumed talking, leaving the three now with the cake relatively undisturbed until the others remembered there were sweets at the head table.

Fiona had watched Kristoph and Adam's exchange with slight apprehension. She did not think that Adam would do anything to create a stir. It was already obvious that neither man cared for the other. When Adam had placed the whetstone among the other gifts before them on the table, Fiona had begun to wonder about her guardian on this trip. She did not even know about these festivities, so how did he know to bring a gift for the girl" Maybe it was a gift for Kristoph' A whetstone was a versatile enough gift to give to either gender. Then the question would have been why would he bring a gift to the man that she would be serving with a message of his Disavowel" Strange parting gift, a whetstone.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-21 01:48 EST
Fiona tried to piece things together, and couldn't add them up when the thunder rolled. She could feel as Nikola froze in her arms. She gave her a comforting hug and a light kiss on the top of her head.

As Fiona's lips brushed Nikola's head, it seemed to set off a chain reaction that somehow ended with everyone more relaxed; the girl shivered involuntarily at the kiss and reached out to scoop up icing on two fingers and pop them into her mouth. Kristoph smiled, took another knife - an appropriate one - in hand, and began to divide the cake for when people remembered it; he immediately sat aside one for Nikola, one for Fiona, and a slightly larger piece....for himself.

People stayed into the evening, slowly filtering out amidst peals of thunder from the storm which had finally broken on the Keep. Most stayed with the main keep itself, but some had family or other friends with those commoners who found safety close to the fortification.

By evenings end, Kristoph had retrieved his daughter from Fiona's arms, and she had lain in his lap snoring softly, to the amusement of some of the others who remained. When the time came to depart for their rooms, Fiona's was not all that far from either the father or daughters room, and in fact most of the First Sword who stayed found their rooms relatively close. As everyone found their rooms, and the birthday girl was tucked into bed by her father.

Before Kristoph had left her room, his voice could be heard by those who listened closely, singing softly to her as she fell asleep, and he backed out of the room. Into the night, everyone slept, and the thunder rolled.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-29 22:40 EST
Part VII: Knight of Mourning

~~~

?You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, You make me happy, when skies are grey' ― Jimmie Davis

~~~

Rose Court. Common Quarters. Late Evening.

Rain pattered down in a steady rhythm over Rose Court, as the preface of a storm had broken over the Keep and its holdings. At this hour everyone, except guardsmen and other folk whose labor required a constant vigil, were within friendly walls and asleep.

Almost everyone, at least, slept. In a sitting room within the Keep, a low fire still burned on the hearth, providing enough light to be social, but also filling the room with the same sleepy warmth that had stolen over the rest of Rose Court, two individuals still sat awake and talked. Kristoph sat opposite Fiona, in a deep armchair with his boots stretched out towards the dying embers of the hearth. He felt some small sense of shame, talking about the Empire with her as he had been doing, and wished that he could bring himself to think about something other than the irony of his House's Disavowal; in an Empire that no longer served those who it would call it's citizens, he felt there was no place for a person like him, even had they wished him to stay.

He had seen too much.

He was also unfortunately, still too loyal to speak outright against anything, and sought to encourage others to ask questions of the Imperial system - to see if they were satisfied with the answers. The one thing he could do, and did do, though never meant to, was communicate to her that it he did not take it as a personal affront by her; if he had taken it in that way, there would have been no chance of them talking so glibly about it now. In truth, he did think about those things but the thoughts spun at him quickly, and just as fast away, as he sat animated and engaged in conversation.

There was a chance he would remember it later, or, it could simply be one of those things that flitters away forever. He waited for his lady guest, his honorable verbal opponent, to parry his question - a question that perhaps went too far, in its crude implications of an otherwise noble social construct that was the Empire. It wasn't the first of his questions or comments to her that would have provided a brief silence - mostly from shock at the consequences of what he implied to be the 'truth'.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-29 22:54 EST
In that moment, he smiled, making himself appear cockier than he actually was; he wasn't even thinking about Fiona in the moment, he was thinking about his daughter, and the melody that caught in his mind that he sang under his breath to her when he had the opportunity to tuck her in, and lay with her a moment until sleep captured her.

Fiona sat on the small sofa beside his chair. At the beginning of their conversation, she had sat straight up in a strict posture over the seat. Over time, she had allowed herself to sit back and rest the small of her back against the cushion behind her, though she maintained her proper posture. She had been too engrossed in the conversation to think about their standings. She too was loyal to The Empire, which was why her curiosity in him seemed misplaced since he had been cast out, by her. She had stayed to talk with him to find out why such a man, who was as well respected and well versed as he, would turn enough from The Empire to earn such a punishment. He did not seem as villainous as The Empire made his fellow compatriots out to be.

Although at first she passed off the mere suggestion in his question, she saw he was serious in the inquiry. She answered, "I do not think that The Empire would ever simply steal children in order to earn their own conditioned army. I believe that the success of the First Sword is due to the parents" willingness to gift their children to the Empire. That passion and loyalty would pass on to the children, giving them strength and determination as they served The Empire."

"Yes," he began, "But that only works if the parents are willing to see their children parted from them. Do you remember what age you were 'tested' at' Some people do. I don't. I don't remember my real....'Father' or 'mother'. The only family I ever knew and I love them but, they were an artificially designed....tribe. Well, no....Not tribe anymore. House. What would happen, I wonder, if the children's parents weren't willing to see them' go?"

He didn't wonder. It was implied, right there in his voice. He knew....something. "Moreover..." he seemed to be searching for a word, or term, or something, and became quickly worked up, "Children aren't something that can be....gifted!"

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-29 23:03 EST
Kristoph sighed and sat back, as he'd leaned forward as though moving closer to her could help him find the term that he had searched for. Even the thought of what they were talking about, when he thought about it in the context of being a father, and looking at his daughter, increased his blood pressure and he had to force himself to be calm. If someone ever tried to use his daughter like that, he would kill them. He'd killed before, certainly, most circumstances demanding it being service to the Empire that had now all but exiled him. But if someone did something to his daughter, that would be different.

Personal.

What he was thinking was suddenly written all over his face, and he couldn't not give voice to it as he forced himself to be calm. "Maybe you don't understand, yet." He smiled, "You will, I'm sure, when you're a parent. Then, maybe your priorities will change. The Empire acts as though children exist to provide it with an army, but in reality it's the Empire that exists to provide the children with stability in their lives. When everything else might seem like it's going to hell. That was the dream of the Empire."

He sat for a moment, silent, but his posture as he neared the edge of his seat again prompted further time for him to 'rant' to her, "That little girl in the other room, the one that sat on your lap tonight...? You have to understand, she is my world. When I'm here, when I'm away, when I get up in the morning, what I do, I do to try to make everything better for her than it was for us. For the Puhra Dahli that we've been 'invading'." He looked away, into the dying fire, his voice bitter. "The Puhra Dahli take their children quite seriously, I assure you. Many of them would rather see their child dead than raised among the Kroatoan."

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-29 23:08 EST
He looked back at Fiona now, suddenly deeply ashamed for allowing his personal feelings to color his judgment.

"Nikola's mother was Puhra Dahli. We didn't know each other well." He had to look away again, and it would be some time before his gaze would return to her, though he continued speaking. "It was ....a political union. Both sides didn't see it that way. Her father didn't. And she was an adult. He decided....she had to die. We didn't expect that' it....that's....what he did. He killed his daughter, my wife. My daughter's mother. But the Empire....knew. They knew, what their reactions would be, it's the Empires fault," now, he did truly sound bitter, "that my little girl is being raised by men, though loving uncles they all are you can be sure, and her playthings include swords. Swords aren't toys. Not even for a little boy. Certainly not a little girl."

Was he sexist' Perhaps. But maybe it was just that he had a little girl.

Fiona sighed and said, "Not all children have the same?" She too was trying to find the right word to convey her point. "Opportunities with their families, though you are right. I do not remember much about my parents. My mother died long before I could remember. What little I remember of my father, he was not as involved in my life or as expressive with his love as?" She trailed off for a moment, hesitated, then continued, "He loved me enough to allow me to learn and work for The Empire. They gave me something to devote my efforts so that when I get up in the morning, what I do is to make everything better for those who are lucky enough to have a loving family."

She had listened to not just that, but to all he had been through. How in The Empire could she possibly respond to that' No amount of debate could take away the pain that he felt. She turned away from him and towards the fire. She brought one hand up and rested it on her temple for a moment. She could not believe that the Empire could be to blame for such an act of cruelty.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-29 23:16 EST
Fiona dragged her hand down along the side of her face, wiping away some figment sweat. She turned back to him and wrapped her hands together, placing them in her lap. "I do not know the facts of what happened to your wife, but I assure you I will look into it when I return to my office. If there was any wrong doing, it will be handled properly."

He had the grace to look thankful for her offer; even if he already knew that the most it would amount to was nothing at all. "We all find what we have to make it through the day." His voice had lost its edge, and returned to its soft spoken yet warm state. The muffled sound of a fall echoed from the hall, and Kristoph frowned but made no move to rise as he continued talking, "The people directly responsible for my wife have been summarily dealt with and it was a long time ago now. Or so it seems, at least, when I think back."

The smile that played on his face was mostly sad, and only a smile because....the memories had faded, at least a little. They had been replaced by memories of his friends, and his daughter. From the open door into the hallway, it sounded as though someone were whispering. Kristoph's frown returned, "I think we woke someone up..." he rose and deftly slid around where Fiona was seated and towards the hall, "Hopefully no one too hungover and foul of mood," he murmured as he moved towards the door.

She had nodded as he rose and pulled her legs back to allow him easier passage. She debated going but it wasn't her place. If it was his daughter stirring, she would undoubtedly want only him. If it was one of his friends in a stupor, only he would be able to talk them down regardless.

As Kristoph neared the doorway and looked out, his eyes widened - and suddenly he was gone from the door and racing into the hall, his voice loud, and frightened. "Nikola? Nikola...! HELP! PLEASE!" His voice fell again, as he continued to speak in the hallway before calling out again in a panicked sob, "PLEASE! FIONA! BREND! SOMEONE PLEASE!" The latches of doors along the corridor he rested in began to unlock as people began to open them and look out.

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-29 23:22 EST
As soon as she processed his calls for help, Fiona was up from her seat, running. Grabbing the doorway with both hands, she used it to help stop her long enough to make the turn down the hallway in the direction she watched him turn. She then pushed against it to propel herself back into a run to catch up to him, trying to quickly look for what was causing his panic.

Kristoph was on his knees, only 20 strides from the room they were in, and in his arms cradled....someone, muttering to them and stroking their face. His hands were slick and red. "Help?" He croaked, looking up and catching only Fiona's eyes with his own tear streaked gaze. The red carpet that went down the hallway looked wet in spatters, where something had leaked onto it; a closer approach to the two on the floor would reveal what had spilled: Nikola's blood. It seemed to flow from underneath her as though something had punctured her back, in one place deep enough that there was a matching crimson blossom on the front of her nightdress.

The hallway was in disarray as more people filtered out, confused, hung-over. Nikola's eyes stared up at Kristoph, began to take on a glassy cast as one of her arms tried to raise feebly - and failed, but was caught in Kristoph's hand. She tried to speak, but no noise came. No noise could, or ever would again. She had been punctured through each lung, though no one yet could tell that, "No, no, no, it's ok, it'll be ok Niki, Niki?"

Thunder boomed loudly outside, as the storm redoubled back upon the Keep, "Niki!" Amidst his shouts and frantic pleas, others had approached asking what was going on, not being able to entirely make out the proceedings as Kristoph's body mostly covered hers by the time everyone else emerged.

Last to show, and unnoticed, forcing himself to stare at the scene from the end of the hallway with an absolutely nauseated look on his face was Brend. Just like everything else, somehow, he knew.

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-08-29 23:26 EST
Fiona dropped down to her knees, at a diagonal from him. She looked to Nikola, assessing her injuries. She knew it was too late. Looking up and around at everyone now present in the halls, she tried to identify faces, searching for who would have done this. Her efforts to search were largely unsuccessful as the tears in her eyes clouded her vision.

She turned her attention back to the ones that mattered. She wanted to reach out and touch her, but she just kept her hands on the floor, which were probably the only things holding her up.

~~~

You'll never know dear, how much I love you Please don't take, my sunshine, away - Jimmie Davis

~~~

Knightfall

Date: 2014-08-30 09:56 EST
Epilogue I

Kristoph knelt beside his daughter's grave, and could not go on. He'd been quietly singing the same words of the same song over and over, several times now, without the ability to finish. "You'll never know, dear, how much I love you?" Each attempt ended with him only trailing off into silence, as his red rimmed eyes looked at the freshly churned earth without really seeing. The grave site wasn't overly large, but there were enough markers that it could be called a graveyard; each one of those interred below having ultimately either directly or indirectly met their end at the hand of the Empire.

He stood, eventually, and feeling empty inside, moved back to join those few who had assembled with him; their assembly was as much to keep him from doing harm against himself, at this stage than it was to mourn the girl who had passed " her funeral held a day past.

Brend, Atticus, and Fiona waited to receive him; the first being his closest friend, the second not knowing at all how to console the man but realizing it was needed; the last, Fiona" only she could say what kept her there. Guilt perhaps, at having had the misfortune to attend him on such an occasion, having brought bad tidings which were matched by much worse; it could have been compassion, as well, over the way he collapsed weakly against her, as she'd held him back while Brend had tended to his daughters body, and he'd wept against her being taken from him " even though she was already gone.

"Come on," he said softly as he reached them, "Let's go."

Brend shouldered his double throated instrument, letting it take the place on his back usually reserved for his weapon. His first time unlimbering it this visit had been to play for Nikola's birthday, and the second for her death. His face was grim in reminder of that, which he was unable to shake. "You're ready?" The statement held the inflection of a question, but it was one which Brend already knew the answer to.

"No," Kristoph answered quietly, while the last verse of the song echoed in his head, making his heart ache in such a way that he wished he at least had tears to shed.

Please don't take"

"I wasn't ready to lose her, either. That was their choice." Kristoph couldn't muster even emotion to even feel bitter. It wasn't about feelings, love, emotion, none of it.

My sunshine"

"What happens next was their choice as well," It was about balance, and justice, and judgment. He'd been willing to look away, if they would just give him that one thing, after taking everything else. But they'd left him with nothing but a sword, "We're going to war." Now he'd give them that, too.

Away?

Fiona ONeill

Date: 2014-09-03 22:30 EST
Epilogue II

Fiona watched Kristoph return to them. She bit back all the things she wanted to say, knowing none would change what had happened. He began to lead Brend and Atticus away, but she stayed back a moment. If she never would have followed him back to Rose Court, none of this would have happened. She questioned following him now. Hadn't she done enough to him"

He welcomed her into his home. She brought with her the man she assumed was there to protect her as she delivered the message. He was welcomed in, as her guest, her responsibility. It was another one of her errors, but this one would be too costly. It was he who was sent by the Empire to murder the girl, sending a message to the House. It sent her a message, too. It rocked her to her core when she started piecing events together. This was all her fault. She brought in a murderer to his home. His daughter was an innocent bystander in a stupid war.

Up until this, she thought she could go back to her normal life with her perfect job serving a just cause. It was one of her last words to him right before the incident, "When I return to my office"" She would never go back now. She had no faith left in the Empire. All of her life, she had been blindly devout to serving something greater than herself. It all turned out to be lies in a vicious war of death and destruction. Now, she wanted some thing else in which to put her faith.

Fiona watched as his men followed closely behind him. Atticus was silent, not knowing what to say. Brend was silent, knowing there was nothing to say. She remembered the congregation and how he watched over his people. She remembered the men at his banquet and how he talked and relaxed with them. He never portrayed himself with the pomp and circumstance that the Empire saturated itself in. She even had a false bravado once, a symptom of working for the Empire, but she wasn't a part of that world anymore. For once in her overly scheduled and organized life, she didn't know what to do.

Fiona looked to the grave. She repeated the same words she had said to the girl before they blew out her birthday cake candles, but this time they were for her. She would only give herself three seconds. "One?" Three seconds to feel the remorse, guilt, and pain, and to let it over take her. "Two?" Then she would have to move on and be as strong as the others, in order to fight against what the Empire had done. "Three." Fiona took a deep breath and began to catch up to the men. She was in too deep now. Maybe one day she could atone for her countless mistakes, but she could not leave him now, not yet.

They were?

Knightfall

Date: 2014-09-08 23:43 EST
Epilogue III - Final

...Indivisible. It was hard to say how he had that effect on people, and for the most part he seemed hesitant to manifest it; some quality about him that caused those under him (though he would balk at the notion of implied superiority) to give everything they had to a cause, more than they might even know they had to give.

He would never chastise, or lecture those under him who were remiss in their duties, and usually he had no cause to give his underlings that tone of remark. Even if they didn't always understand his cause or methods, there was always a common sensation that they were somehow....right.

And he had a way of making the cause seem so just, whatever that cause might be, that if you failed in serving it....the worst punishment you could suffer wasn't from without, but from within. And when you looked into his eyes, it was your own judgment that you saw looking back into you.

As he looked into the eyes of those gathered, however, there was only resolve being exchanged when eyes met. There was work to be done; the rest of the First Sword had to be gathered for an endeavor this heavy in martial and arcane needs, information would need to be gathered on the Imperials and what they were doing, and finally, there would have to be someone riding in the vanguard along the frontlines to prepare the natives of the Inner Arc for a resistance movement.

Few words were spoken as they rode out, like an army of centipedes that kept segmenting as sections broke off and apart through the wilderness of the former Arknight - now Knightfall - barony lands. The groups grew smaller and smaller, often with one of the members of the First Sword group leading them.

A select few had elected - of their own accord - to scount for the murder suspect whose hand had inadvertently began revolution, but the trail had gone cold.

The temporary plan would have the First Sword regroup at Extalyon, the king city of Kroatoan prophecy, and Puhra Dahli myth. If everything went well, that would be the headquarters of the revolution against the Empire. Their last would be base of operations they had intentionally destroyed, so mask their movements from the Imperials.

Behind them, as they rode, Rose Court burned.